Emma Raducanu opens up on snubbing Olympics and makes Team GB confession

Posted by Admin July 28, 2024 Tennis

Emma Raducanu has spoken out on missing the Olympics after snubbing the event for the WTA 500 in Washington.

The Brit was offered an ITF wildcard into the Paris Games as a former Grand Slam champion but declined and chose to go straight into the North American hard-court swing.

But the 21-year-old has now confessed that she is feeling “FOMO” after missing out on the chance to join Team GB in the opening ceremony.

Raducanu still stands by her decision to miss the Paris Olympics, citing the quick change from grass to clay. Instead, she is preparing to face Elise Mertens at the Citi Open.

“I would say for me, staying on one surface is important. The change in surface isn’t the best thing for me right now. In the future, maybe it would have been,” she explained.

“At this moment in time, I think switching to clay straight after grass, it’s such a big contrast, then back onto the hard courts, I didn’t want to risk anything. For me, this option was just a lot better.”

But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have any regrets. The 2021 US Open champion felt she was missing out on the excitement of donning the Team GB colours and representing her nation.

Raducanu continued: “Of course, there are elements of FOMO, missing out. Watching the Olympic ceremony, everybody in their team kits, a part of you obviously wants to be there and representing your country. I think when I think big picture, long-term, it’s the right call.”

In her absence, Katie Boulter is the only British player in the women’s singles draw at the Olympics. She will also play doubles with Heather Watson, who didn’t agree with Raducanu’s call to snub the Games.

“I can’t really comprehend it, personally because the Olympics is the greatest sporting event in history,” she said. “So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Anyone in general who chooses not to, I can’t relate.”

But Boulter was more forgiving of Raducanu’s decision. She added: “Each to their own. We are all unique in terms of where we hold the Olympics in our priorities. For me, it is the top of the top.

“I understand her decision completely with her surgeries and the change of surface. It is definitely not easy for the body. She has represented our country many times before with great pride and I’m sure she is going to do that many more.”