Emma Raducanu has decided not to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer despite her recent association with Oxford University.
The 2021 US Open champion will not join Team GB, which includes notable players like Andy Murray, at Roland-Garros. This decision is largely due to concerns about aggravating her injuries on the clay courts of Paris.
Raducanu, who has been recovering from a series of injuries, including double wrist surgery and an ankle operation, had a tumultuous 2023 season, participating in only nine matches.
Despite the International Tennis Federation offering her a spot at the Olympics as a former Grand Slam champion, she chose to decline. Raducanu cited the need to prioritize her health and avoid unnecessary stress on her body, given her injury history.
She emphasized her determination to focus on her professional tennis career and her own schedule, avoiding additional risks. Raducanu’s next appearance will be at the US Open in August, where she will compete on hard courts, which are more manageable for her current condition compared to the slower clay courts.
Iain Bates, head of GB’s Olympic tennis team, supported her decision, acknowledging the greater physical stress posed by the clay surface.
Raducanu, currently ranked 94th in the world, was seen visiting Corpus Christi College at Oxford University before Wimbledon. She expressed interest in academic pursuits post her tennis career but remains dedicated to tennis for now.
