“I just hope she doesn’t regret it,” Annabel Croft taken aback by Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip 2024 Paris Olympics

Croft feels Raducanu missed out on a lifetime experience by opting to skip the Paris Olympics.

“I just hope she doesn’t regret it,” Annabel Croft taken aback by Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip 2024 Paris Olympics

Emma Raducanu, Annabel Croft (Images via Imago)

Former British WTA player Annabel Croft is unable to wrap her head around compatriot Emma Raducanu‘s decision to skip the 2024 Paris Olympics. As Raducanu turned down an offer for a wildcard entry into the Games, Croft says she was surprised to find out. She also hopes that Raducanu does not regret this decision in hindsight.

Croft says that while she understands that everyone has their mind and has all the right to decide what is best for themselves, letting go of such an opportunity might come back to bite. The Briton is hoping that Raducanu does not regret this decision.

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I have to be honest, I was very surprised to hear that she wouldn’t want to go there. Every player knows her own mind at the time and she has obviously given it a huge amount of consideration and has decided that going from grass to clay and then going onto the hard courts. I just hope she doesn’t regret it.
Annabel Croft said about Emma Raducanu’s decison to skip Paris Olympics.

She further stated the reason behind her thought process. Croft pointed to Raducanu’s struggles with her body and the 21-year-old failing to maintain the top level of fitness.

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I’m sure she will have many other opportunities in the future, but you never know. Her body has broken down a few times already, she has had wrist surgeries and ankle surgery and it has prevented her from getting any momentum in her game.
Annabel Croft said. (H/T: Tennis 365)

Annable Croft feels Emma Raducanu missed out on a once in lifetime experience

The Briton further talked about the importance of playing in the Olympics. Annabel Croft termed it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and said that players who are opting out of the Games will miss out on this important aspect of the game.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Image via Imago)

Croft also highlighted the different mindsets with which players approach the Olympics. She said that while players have to be selfish while competing on the tour, representing the country brings out a totally different side of the players. Also, getting a chance to see other top athletes is an added bonus. 

All I know is that every player who has gone to the Olympics has had such a wonderful experience. They enjoy going to watch other athletes in other sports and it’s a kind of a once, possibly, in a lifetime experience...When you play on the tour, you are very insular and it’s all about you. Very selfish. When you have to represent your country, it’s a totally different pressure and there are different nerves that run through your body.
Annabel Croft said.

Notably, not just Emma Raducanu, but a handful of other top players on the ATP and WTA tour have decided to opt out of the 2024 Paris Olympics. World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka and three-time Slam finalist Ons Jabeur have also decided to give the Games a miss. Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov – who both medalled at the Tokyo 2020 Games – will also not head to the Games this summer.

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