Emma Raducanu's chances of representing team GB at the 2024 Olympics appear to be slipping away.
Raducanu's decision not to play in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup tie in Coventry is likely to impact her chances of heading to Paris in 2024. The Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup don't offer WTA points, but the International Tennis Federation (ITF) uses the competitions to encourage Olympic participation.
However, the 20-year-old explained the decision was made due to concerns over fitness.
“Because of my existing injuries, the best medical advice was to not switch surfaces at such short notice. So that's what I've been told.”
To qualify for the Olympics, ITF rules state that players must represent their country at least twice within a four-year cycle. Raducanu has one appearance for GB against the Czech Republic last year.
The 20-year-old could get two more opportunities to feature for GB in November and then next spring. However, one more omission could see the 2021 US Open champion miss out on an Olympic spot.
When asked about potential Olympic participation, Raducanu said she was eager to represent GB at Paris 2024.
"Of course, I would love to play the Olympics.”
The British number one has been struggling with a wrist injury in recent months, which has stalled her progress on the court.
Raducanu crashed out in the first round of the Australian Open in January before returning at Indian Wells and making a run to the last 16. She was then eliminated by world number one Iga Swiatek and lost to Bianca Andreescu in the Miami Open first round on Wednesday.
Following her defeat to Andreescu, Raducanu honestly admitted that focusing on the long-term remains an issue due to her wrist problems.
"I'm able to play in the short term,” Raducanu said. “But the current solutions aren't very viable long term.”
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