eBusiness Weekly
The British No 1 decided to prepare for her clay court season instead of representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup in their qualifier against France.
Tennis fans have sided with Emma Raducanu and have vindicated her decision to miss their recent Billie Jean King Cup tie, despite being hung out to dry by the Team GB captain.
Raducanu came under criticism after missing Great Britain’s clash against France, instead choosing to prepare for the clay-court season at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
With Raducanu being their highest ranked player Team GB lost the Billie Jean King Cup tie and their hopes of making the finals are now over.
GB now face a crunch November must-win play-off match to keep their place in next year’s qualifiers or face dropping into the European zonal tier of the competition.
Raducanu told reporters at the Indian Wells Masteras that she “didn’t even know” when the France tie was taking place, despite the weekend of April 14 and 15 being put in the calendar last year.
However, GB captain Anne Keothavong hung Raducanu out to dry. She said: “I think we all know when this tie was going to be played and where she is now.
“I know she wants to be part of this team. It was just, on this occasion, it wasn’t the right timing for her.
If Emma is fit and healthy I see no reason why she wouldn’t be part of the team in November.”
Express Sport readers have now backed Raducanu in her decision to focus her preparation for the clay court season.
A reader’s poll asked: Are you disappointed Emma Raducanu isn’t playing the BJK Cup for Great Britain? In reply 33% of readers voted ‘yes’ while 67% said ‘no’.
Raducanu has been called up to prevent a disastrous relegation for Team GB and must be available for one of the next two representative matches if she wants to play in the Paris Olympic Games next year.
The British No 1 suffered her third successive defeat as she crashed out of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in the opening round.
In a one-side match World No 22 Jelena Ostapenko put on a dominant display to win 6-2 6-1. Raducanu continues her clay court season at next week’s Madrid Open where she has been handed a nightmare draw.
The World No 85 is in need of a good run in Madrid or at risk of dropping out of the top 100 and would then require a Wimbledon wildcard.
She faces a qualifier in the opening round before potentially meeting three-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in the second round. —expresssport
