Raducanu’s Olympic Withdrawal

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu has opted out of the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, double champion Andy Murray will participate in singles and possibly pair with Dan Evans for doubles in his final Games.

The line-up for the British team was revealed at a press conference at Queen’s Club today by Ian Bates, the LTA head of women’s tennis. The team includes Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, and Andy Murray for the men’s events. Katie Boulter will represent the women’s singles, while Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will form a doubles team.

Raducanu’s decision not to play follows her choice to not enter the qualifying rounds for the French Open last month. The Olympics will take place at the same venue, Roland Garros. Bates shared that Raducanu had been offered a spot last Thursday and that he had several discussions with her about it. He emphasized her desire to be part of a British team, as evidenced by her participation in the Billie Jean King Cup in April. However, she feels that now is not the right time for her.

Factors influencing her decision include the late notice of her spot, the change in surface from grass to clay and hard, and the stress placed on her due to her history. Her current ranking and the need to travel to the US also played a part.

Raducanu, a former world No.10, is set to return to the world’s top 200 after reaching the semi-finals of the Rothesay Open in Nottingham. When asked about his feelings regarding Raducanu’s decision, Bates expressed happiness that she is playing again and praised the high level of tennis she and Katie played the previous night.

He acknowledged the desire for a larger team at the Olympics but expressed comfort with Raducanu’s decision, given that she is only 21 and likely has many more Olympics ahead of her.

Team GB has also proposed Murray and Evans as a doubles team, but a decision from the ITF is pending until June 24. Bates expressed confidence in their nomination, despite the challenging process due to differing competition rules and the need to go by ranking. The fact that both Murray and Evans are singles players increases their chances of making the draw.