Johanna Konta makes surprising Emma Raducanu assumption after Wimbledon wildcard news
Emma Raducanu will make her long-awaited return to Wimbledon after receiving a wildcard.
Emma Raducanu has already enjoyed an outing on the grass in Nottingham, reaching the semis (Image: Getty)
Johanna Konta has given an unexpected insight into how Emma Raducanu likely feels about the grass season after making a return to home soil.
The 21-year-old received a wildcard into the main draw of Wimbledon and will play at the All England Club for the first time in two years after she shut down her 2023 season early to undergo three surgeries.
Although Raducanu took extra time to prepare for the stretch of home tournaments, retired British tennis star Konta doesn’t think the grass swing bears much significance for the 2021 US Open champion.
Emma Raducanu has not played at Wimbledon since 2022, when she reached the second round (Image: Getty)
Emma Raducanu rejects Olympic Games wildcard and refuses to represent Team GB
It’s a surprising assumption given that Raducanu made her priorities clear this season as she pulled out of French Open qualifying to have more time to prepare for the grass. She also turned down an invitation to play in the Olympics, being held on the Roland Garros clay courts, to protect her body and avoid the quick switch between surfaces.
“If I’m fit, if I’m giving 100 per cent, I know great things are coming. I just don’t think there’s any need to put additional stress on my body or any risks, especially with my [injury] history,” Raducanu said after the LTA’s head of women’s tennis explained her decision not to play the Olympic Games. “I love playing for my country. I think that was pretty clear at the Billie Jean King Cup. I did enjoy the week in France very much. But the Olympics is just not the right time for me this year.”
