Former British No.1 “can’t comprehend” Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip Paris Olympics

Watson couldn't relate not just to Raducanu's but other players' decisions to withdraw from the Olympics.

Former British No.1 “can’t comprehend” Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip Paris Olympics

Emma Raducanu (Image via Imago)

British player Heather Watson couldn’t comprehend why anyone should miss sport’s biggest event- the Olympics. A few tennis players decided to skip it, including Watson’s compatriot Emma Raducanu, a decision that has now come under fire.

Players don’t get any points for playing in the Olympics, which might be the reason why Raducanu decided to play a WTA event in Washington next week. And given that she has a history of remaining on the sidelines due to multiple injuries and surgeries, she might have anticipated some dangers in playing on the clay surfaces of the Roland Garros.

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Watson, who will become the first female player from Britain to compete in four Olympics, and who is set to play doubles, couldn’t relate not just to Raducanu’s but other players’ decisions to withdraw from the Olympics.

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I can’t really comprehend it. The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in history. So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Anyone in general who chooses not to participate, I can’t relate.
Heather Watson said (via Tennis365)

Not just Raducanu, WTA players the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, and a few men’s players decided to skip the Olympics. Even World No.1 Jannik Sinner won’t play, though he withdrew from it due to an illness. While the Games in Paris will start on 26th July, tennis matches will be played at Roland Garros from July 27th.

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Katie Boulter explains why Emma Raducanu pulled out of the Olympics

While Heather Watson couldn’t understand the reason behind Emma Raducanu‘s decision to pull out of the Paris Olympics, current British No. 1 Katie Boulter, who also considers the Olympics as the greatest event in sport’s history, defended her 21-year-old compatriot.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Image via Imago) 
I understand her decision completely with her surgeries and the change of surface. It is definitely not easy for the body. She has represented our country many times before with great pride and I'm sure is going to do that many more.
Katie Boulter said (via Daily Express )

Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, also rejected the wild card for the French Open this year and instead participated in grass-court events. She did have a decent campaign as she reached the semifinals of the Nottingham Open and the quarterfinals of the Eastbourne Open. At Wimbledon, she made it to the Round of 16 where New Zealand’s Lulu Sun knocked her out. 

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