Emma Raducanu made the decision to turn down a wildcard for the Paris 2024 Olympics to focus on her long-term health and wellbeing. Raducanu, who burst onto the scene with her incredible US Open victory in 2021, has struggled to replicate that level of success subsequently and has been hampered by injuries.
The British no.3, who has undergone surgeries on both wrists and her ankle since that victory at Flushing Meadows, looked close to her best at Wimbledon earlier this month. Raducanu performed well to reach the round-of-16, where she lost out to Lulu Sun, before sparking controversy with her decision to opt out of a mixed double match with Andy Murray on what would have been his Centre Court farewell, reports the Mirror.
The 21-year-old has expressed her determination to manage her fitness carefully to avoid further injuries, with the Brit hoping to in peak physical condition for her return to the US Open next month. With that in mind, Raducanu opted to turn down the chance to represent Team GB at the Olympics in Paris, despite having been offered a wildcard for the Games.
Discussing her focus on maintaining her health, she stated emphatically: “I think I’m very single-minded, and I do things my own way and at my own time. Not in a diva way, but just prioritising my body and my health because I know if I’m fit if I’m giving my 100 per cent, I know great things are coming.
“I don’t think there is any need to put additional stress on my body or any risk, especially with my history”. Raducanu added: “I love playing for my country, I think that was pretty clear at the Billie Jean King Cup. I really fought, I enjoyed it so much, but the Olympics is just not the right time for me this year.
“I really hope to be a part of the next one, but with the changing surface it’s just not worth the risk for me at this point having recovered from the surgeries last year, but I do wish the team good luck.”
Audiences and experts alike had mixed reactions to Raducanu’s Olympic omission, but the list of injuries suffered by the British tennis star has been a tough read in recent years.
She has battled back issues, a glute problem, wrist injuries, ankle troubles and abdominal stress – all before reaching 22. As a result, Raducanu will not be vying for an Olympic medal this year, leaving Britain’s No. 1 Katie Boulter and 32-year-old Heather Watson to aim for gold.
Watson, who replaced Raducanu in the team, is set to compete in both the mixed and women’s doubles. The former British No.1 spoke to The Guardian about her fellow player’s decision, admitting she hasn’t delved into the specifics but finds it hard to comprehend turning down Team GB.
I can’t really comprehend it, personally, because the Olympics is the greatest sporting event in history, said Watson. “So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Anyone in general who chooses not to [participate], I can’t relate.
“It was the biggest goal of mine these last 12 months to make the Olympics. I have so much pride to be here,” she said. “Within tennis, the Olympics isn’t looked at the same by all players, but I just can’t understand. Katie Boulter and I were having this conversation in our room, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
