Emma Raducanu skips the Paris Olympics as she arrives in Washington for WTA 500 event… with Team GB star saying they ‘can’t comprehend’ her decision
Emma Raducanu landed in Washington DC, nearly 4,000 miles away from Paris, on Friday to prepare for next week’s Mubadala Citi DC Open.
The former US Open champion documented her arrival with an Instagram post by uploading a photograph of herself near the Washington Monument.
Raducanu, 21, decided to enter the WTA 500 hardcourt event after opting not to take part in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.Her decision to skip the Paris Games was based on her reluctance to play on clay due to fears of suffering an injury setback.
In her absence, Team GB will be represented in the women’s singles by Katie Boulter, who will team up with Heather Watson in the women’s doubles.
Watson will also compete in the mixed doubles alongside Joe Salisbury, with the pair set to take on Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Felix Auger Aliassime in the first round on Monday.
Raducanu’s decision to withdraw was ultimately good news for Watson – who might have missed out otherwise.
However, the 32-year-old has still questioned Raducanu. Speaking earlier this week, Watson said: ‘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.’
Raducanu was given a wildcard to play in Washington. She will take on eighth seed Elise Mertens in the first round. Meanwhile, Watson and Boulter face a tough opener in the Olympic women’s doubles as they must play against Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Angelique Kerber.
