Emma Raducanu opts out of Paris 2024 and Andy Murray to compete in Olympic swan song

Emma Raducanu turned down the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympics next month. The 2021 US Open champion, who is still recovering from wrist and ankle surgery, has been awarded one of two International Tennis Federation (ITF) slots reserved for former Grand Slam champions. However, Raducanu has chosen to focus on his fitness and prepare for the upcoming British grass court season. Raducanu’s current world ranking is too low to qualify for the Olympics, a consequence of his retirement from the sport due to injury. The 21-year-old missed the French Open, which is played on the same clay courts at Roland Garros that will host the Olympic tennis tournament, to ensure she is in top condition for her shots on the British grass court.

Iain Bates, head of the Great Britain Olympic tennis team, shared insights into Raducanu’s decision. “I’ve had a number of conversations with Emma over the last few weeks and a slightly longer period where it became very clear how much it would mean to her to be part of a British team at the Olympics,” Bates said.

“I think she feels like this won’t be the right time for her this summer. I hope she has a lot of Olympics ahead of her. I’m very comfortable with the decision she made.”

Meanwhile, two-time Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray is set to compete in what could be his final tournament. The 37-year-old tennis icon, who won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, has been offered an ITF spot for Paris 2024.

Earlier this year, Murray hinted that he did not expect to “play much beyond this summer”, adding a layer of poignancy to his participation in the upcoming Games.

Great Britain’s tennis nominations, announced at the Queen’s Club on Sunday, include a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Joining Murray in the men’s singles are Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Dan Evans. Katie Boulter is the only British woman qualified by classification.

In doubles, Murray and Dan Evans are scheduled to pair up in men’s doubles. Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will also compete in men’s doubles, leveraging their high world rankings. For the women’s doubles, Boulter and Heather Watson will join, alongside another pair, Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden.

The Olympic tennis tournament, scheduled from July 27 to August 4 at Roland Garros, will feature five medal events: women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles. As the event approaches, the ITF will finalize and announce the full entry list on July 4th.

–IANS

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