Emma Raducanu has opted to delay her return to tennis for at least another month, opting out of French Open qualifying rounds after being rejected for a main draw wildcard entry.
The go-it-alone Britain whose 2021 US Open title looks like being the lone defining moment of her start-stop career, last played a WTA match nearly four weeks ago, going out in the Madrid first round.
But instead of digging in and fighting in qualies, the No. 212 appears to be giving up on the clay season where she played just six matches.
The notoriously tight-lipped Raducanu camp gave no particular reason why their player is not bothering with Paris, with British media naturally speculating that the 21-year-old is saving her energies for a blast on the grass and painting the pullout as a clever strategic move.
But her record on the national surface is also slim, with just eight career matches played at the Tour level, with four victories and four losses.
She last competed on the surface at Wimbledon 2022, going out in the second round.
Raducanu could perhaps enter Roland Garros by the back door if three more players withdraw from the main draw, British media report.
Main photo:- Emma Raducanu won Us Open 2021 – by Pete Staples/USTA
