Emma Raducanu has expressed some regret about her decision to skip the Paris 2024 Olympics, acknowledging feelings of “FOMO” (fear of missing out).
The 21-year-old British tennis star chose to focus on the hard-court season in North America, beginning with the Citi Open in Washington D.C., instead of competing in the Olympic Games.
Raducanu, who returned to the WTA Tour this year after an injury-plagued 2023, emphasized the importance of maintaining her physical health. She cited the difficulties of transitioning between different surfaces—from grass to clay and then to hard courts—as a primary reason for her decision. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has her sights set on the upcoming US Open in late August.
Despite the allure of the Olympics, Raducanu believes her choice is the right one for her long-term career. She reflected on the excitement of the Olympic opening ceremony and the camaraderie of the athletes, admitting it was hard to watch from afar. Nevertheless, Raducanu is focused on her current campaign, starting against Elise Mertens, whom she recently defeated at Wimbledon.
The Washington Open features a strong lineup, including Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Victoria Azarenka, and Karolina Pliskova in the women’s draw.
The men’s draw is led by world No. 9 Andrey Rublev, with American favorites Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, and Frances Tiafoe also participating.
