Great Britain's Emma Raducanu shockingly turned down an opportunity to feature in the team for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday, June 2024. She rejected a wild card entry to focus on the upcoming Wimbledon which opened the door for the veteran star Andy Murray who will be featuring in the Summer Olympics for the fifth time in his career.
Andy Murray famously won Gold for Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics after beating Roger Federer in the final of the men's singles. He also bagged Gold in the men's singles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro to script history. However, his recent inconsistent form raised a big question over his team selection but Raducanu's surprise withdrawal paved the way for Murray.
Murray will join Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and a lone female player Katie Boulter in Great Britain's singles team for the Paris Games.
"It's a huge privilege to once again announce our tennis players for Team GB," Great Britain's Chef de Mission Mark England said. "The calibre of the team gets stronger with every game, and it is great to see a mix of returning and first-time Olympians.
"Two-time Olympic Champion Andy Murray was our flag bearer in Rio, and he continues to lead by example through his commitment to the Olympic Games and Team GB in what will be his fifth Olympics."
Meanwhile, Great Britain's tennis team head Lain Bates announced that Radunacu was eligible for the Wild Card entry and the team held various discussions with the star player over the last two weeks.
"We were notified on Thursday that Emma Raducanu would be eligible for one of those places I've had various conversations with Emma over the last couple of weeks and it really clear to me how much being part of a British team would mean to her," Lain Bates said. "I think she feels this isn’t going to be the right timing for her for this summer. She’s hopefully got many Olympics ahead of her. I'm very comfortable with the decision that she’s made."
Great Britain's tennis team for Paris Olympics 2024
Singles: Andy Murray, Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Katie Boulter.
Men's Doubles: Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski
Women's Doubles: Katie Boulter and Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden
