Agnieszka Radwanska shuts down criticism directed at Emma Raducanu, Aryna Sabalenka

2012 Wimbledon finalist and former world No. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska says Emma Raducanu, Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur should absolutely not be judged or blamed over skipping the Paris Olympics due to the reason they all listed.

Before Wimbledon, three big names – Raducanu, Sabalenka and Jabeur all confirmed they would not go to the Olympics after the third Grand Slam of the season. And when announcing their Paris Olympic withdrawal, all three cited concerns over the constant surface changes as the reason for their decision.

After playing on clay for two consecutive months, players had to make a quick switch to the grass. And since the North American hard court swing season is starting shortly after Wimbledon, that means that players who wanted to play at the Paris Olympics would go from clay to grass – then back to clay from grass – before going to hard courts.

Naturally, that led to some players fearing that bouncing from surface to surface in such a short time would increase the risk of them getting injured. But their decision wasn’t welcomed by some – especially in Raducanu’s case – who received some strong criticism and scrutiny by the British public.

However, Radwanska, who made three Olympic appearances during her career, fully understands why some players decided to prioritize their health over competing at the upcoming Olympics.

“You can never tell how the girls are feeling and they will have their reasons for not playing at the Olympics. The tennis schedule is so tight. You have tournaments pretty much every other week and you prepare for that. Also, you know that in the year with the Olympics, it’s going to be tough. You have to think ahead about what is going to happen,” Radwanska told Tennis365.

“You also have to listen to your body about what is right for you. That’s why it’s hard to comment on a player withdrawing from an event because it as to be about how they feel. They know better than us. They are doing what is right for them. It is always an individual thing.”

Do you remember what Raducanu said after being called ‘a diva’ following her Olympic move?
When the news came out about Raducanu pulling out of the Paris Olympics, it didn’t take long before the British media started criticizing the 21-year-old over her decision as some argued that if she was healthy, she must have accepted to play in Paris. And that criticism and scrutiny were pretty harsh, with some even labeling the 2021 US Open champion “a diva” after she said she was skipping the Olympics due to health concerns.

When asked about it, Raducanu wasn’t impressed at all and she highlighted to everyone that just a year earlier she had three surgeries and battled a very serious wrist injury.

“I’m very single-minded and I do things my own way and at my own time – not in a diva way – but just prioritizing my body and my health because if I’m fit, if I’m giving 100 percent, I know great things are coming,” Raducanu said.

“I just don’t think there’s any need to put additional stress on my body or any risk, especially with my history. It [clay] is more demanding on the body, for sure. It’s more physical, longer points, but I think it’s more just the change, the contrast between clay and grass and then on to the hard… For me, it is not necessary at this point to put my body through that.”

What Sabalenka and Jabeur said?
On June 17th, two-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka announced her decision not to play at the Paris Olympics. When explaining her decision, the former world No. 1 simply defended her move by claiming that also playing at the Games “would have been too much for her schedule.”

“It’s too much for the scheduling. I made the decision to take care of my health. It’s too much of changing the surface,” Sabalenka said.

Later that same day, three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur made the same move. And Jabeur’s explanation pretty much resembled Raducanu’s since the Tunisian noted that she had been battling a knee issue for quite some time and added that quickly changing surfaces probably wouldn’t be a smart move.

“After consulting with my medical team regarding attending the Olympics in Paris, we have decided that the quick change of surface and the body’s adaptation required would put my knee at risk and jeopardise the rest of my season. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. I have always loved representing my country in any competition. However, I must listen to my body and follow my medical team’s advice,” Jabeur said.