Emma Raducanu’s Olympic decision confirmed as Team GB squad for Paris 24 is revealed
Emma Raducanu at the Billie Jean King Cup
Emma Raducanu won’t compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as she has turned down a wildcard for the Games as she felt the “timing wasn’t right”.
The 2021 US Open champion failed to qualify for Paris 2024 through her ranking as she is currently outside the top 100, but she was offered one of two wildcard spots that are reserved for former Grand Slam champions or Olympic gold medalists.
The 21-year-old, however, has decided not to take up the offer by the International Tennis Federation as she wants to focus on WTA Tour and Grand Slam events in the next few months.
Iain Bates, head of GB’s Olympic tennis team, said: “I have had various conversations with Emma over the last couple of weeks and a slightly longer period where it’s very clear how much being part of a British team at an Olympics would mean to her.
“I think she feels this isn’t going to be the right timing for her for this summer.
“She’s hopefully got many Olympics ahead of her. I’m very comfortable with the decision that she’s made.”
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The 2024 Olympics will be staged on the clay at Roland Garros from July 27 until August 4.
Raducanu has a busy few weeks ahead of her as, after this week’s Nottingham Open, she is set to play at Wimbledon before switching focus to the North American hard-court season with the season culminating in the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Great Britain will have only one player in the singles in the women’s draw with that honour going to British No 1 Katie Boulter.
World No 30 Boulter will also feature in the doubles alongside Heather Watson with Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden also set to represent Team GB.
On the men’s side, Andy Murray will represent Great Britain at a fifth Olympics and he is one of four singles players on the squad with Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans also cracking the nod.
Murray has slumped to No 97 in the ATP Rankings, which is not good enough for a direct entry, but he received one of the wildcard spots available for Olympic gold medalists and/or former Grand Slam champions.
The three-time Grand Slam winner won gold in the singles at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games.
He is also expected to compete in the doubles alongside Evans with Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski taking the other spot in the men’s doubles.