Tennis at the Paris Olympics gets underway this weekend and there are real hopes that Britain could claim a medal.
Having announced he will retire after these Games, Andy Murray will join Dan Evans in the men's doubles as he looks to continue his proud record at the summer event.
British No. 1 Jack Draper and former Wimbledon semifinalist Cameron Norrie will join Evans in the men's singles, which has already become a little more open following the withdrawal of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner due to illness.
In the women's event, Katie Boulter will make her Games debut in the singles and will partner Heather Watson in the women's doubles. Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury, two of Britain's most successful doubles players, will also bid to challenge for a medal.
But what about Emma Raducanu? The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong run at Wimbledon this year after having battled to return to fitness following including double wrist surgery and an ankle operation. Will she be competing in the French capital?
MORE: Full 2024 Paris Olympics schedule
Is Emma Raducanu playing at the Olympics?
Raducanu will not be competing for Team GB in the tennis tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a decision that has left many fans puzzled.
The 21-year-old British star, who won the US Open in 2021 and recently equalled her best Wimbledon performance, was offered a spot by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which reserves two places for former grand slam champions.
Despite being granted this opportunity, Raducanu chose to decline the invitation.
Why is Emma Raducanu not playing at the Olympics?
Raducanu's primary reason for skipping the Olympics this year is the risk of injury.
She is wary of the potential strain that switching to clay could impose on her body. She has also experienced mixed results on the surface and chose to skip the French Open earlier this year to concentrate on grass, which aligns better with her playing style and recovery goals.
Iain Bates, the head of GB's Olympic tennis team, said he was "very comfortable" with her decision.
"Everyone's aware of her history and the double wrist surgery from last year," he said. "That [change of surface] places a greater stress on her."
MORE: Where was Emma Raducanu born and what languages does she speak?
Raducanu herself has been forced to insist her long-term focus is on prolonging her time in the sport, saying: "I'm very much focused on my professional tennis career."
She has expressed a strong desire to return for the hard-court season, especially as she prepares for the US Open, where she is guaranteed a spot after climbing back into the world top 100.
Her careful approach should help her maintain long-term fitness and competitiveness for future events.
Olympics tennis schedule at Paris 2024
Below are the start and end dates for the tennis tournaments at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Singles | Saturday, July 27 | Sunday, August 4 |
| Men's Doubles | Saturday, July 27 | Saturday, August 3 |
| Women's Singles | Saturday, July 27 | Saturday, August 3 |
| Women's Doubles | Saturday, July 27 | Sunday, August 4 |
| Mixed Doubles | Monday, July 29 | Friday, August 2 |
