Paris Olympics: Emma Raducanu Grabs Stunning Last Minute Opportunity to Survive a Major Scare

Emma Raducanu is finally having some good times! She earned her first victory on the grass after 713 days. Raducanu defeated Japan’s Ena Shibahara by 6-1, 6-4 at the 2024 Nottingham Open. Apart from the fantastic win, there is more good news in store for all the Raducanu fans! Her last-minute entry into the top 400 has now almost secured her spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Emma Raducanu made a stellar run into the QF of the Stuttgart Open, which helped her earn the points needed to qualify for the Olympics. Furthermore, Raducanu ensured her eligibility in the Olympic squad by accepting the call-up to Great Britain’s BJK Cup for the first time since 2022, helping them beat France. As per the qualification rules, players must have been selected for and played at least in two Davis Cup or BJK Cup ties since 2021 in order to be considered eligible for a spot in the Olympics. One of those participants has to be in either the 2023 or 2024 team. 

Wednesday, June 12, marked the deadline for the ranking points needed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The Games of the XXXIII will be held from 26 July-August 11, with tennis events held from July 27 to August 4. 64 players each will compete in men’s and women’s singles, with a maximum of six per nation, with a limit of four players in singles being called by their national committees.

Although selected, Raducanu is not ranked high enough to secure an automatic spot (56 highest-ranked singles players from ATP and WTA get that chance). However, there were possibilities of getting into the Olympic squad through another route. There are two places in each singles draw for players who have won a Grand Slam or for those who are former Olympic medalists.

However, they must be ranked within the top 400 or have a protected ranking. Emma Raducanu is currently ranked 209th in that list and she won the US Open in 2021. She can now utilize this to fulfill her Olympic aspirations.

“I love the Slams but I do want to have the Olympic experience” – Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu won her first major title in 2021 and became a top 10 player a year later. Unfortunately, frequent injuries and lack of consistency pushed her now to the 209th spot. Raducanu has a win-loss record of 10-7 in 2024. She would definitely be looking forward to improving that before the Paris Olympics to achieve a milestone.

Speaking about her Olympic dreams, the Briton once said, “I love the Slams, but I do want to have the Olympic experience.“ If things go right, then that time has arrived for the 21-year-old British tennis star. At one point, she was even quite reluctant to speak about this. “Obviously, the Olympics is such a big thing in sport. I think I could play another four if I really wanted to. So this one isn’t the immediate rush or pressure. It’s just about getting back on the court,” Raducanu told BBC Sport.

Who would know at that time that she’d finally manage to book her tickets to Paris? However, she never stopped believing in herself, and perhaps that’s one of the biggest reasons for her accomplishment. Are you excited to see her at the Paris Olympics?