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Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer
Andy Murray will play in his fifth Olympics for Great Britain this summer, having been named in the tennis team for Paris 2024, while 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu has turned down the chance to be on the team.
Murray has been named alongside Jack Draper, Cam Norrie and Dan Evans in the men’s singles, while Katie Boulter is the sole Great Britain representative in the women’s singles. Tokyo 2020 Olympians Neal Skupski & Joe Salisbury will compete in men’s doubles, with other pairings across both men’s and women’s doubles to be confirmed by the end of June.
This will be Murray’s fifth Olympics in what could well be his final year on tour. He has previously said he doesn’t plan to play on much beyond this summer, and has targeted Paris 2024. He is a two-time gold medal-winner in men’s singles, having won the tournament at London 2012 and Rio 2016. He also won silver in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson at London 2012.
The tournament will be played at Roland Garros and on clay. “It’s a huge privilege to once again announce our tennis players for Team GB,” Team GB chef de mission Mark England said. “The calibre of the team gets stronger with every Games, and it is great to see a mix of returning and first time Olympians.
“Two-time Olympic Champion Andy Murray was our flag bearer in Rio, and he continues to lead by example through his commitment to the Olympic Games and Team GB in what will be his fifth Olympics.
“We are also delighted to welcome back Joe and Neal as returning Olympians, and I am sure they will all pass on the best of their insight to the four debutantes of Katie, Jack, Cam and Dan.”
Iain Bates, head of Team GB’s tennis team, told reporters at the announcement: “We were notified on Thursday that Emma [Raducanu] would be eligible for one of those places and I’ve had various conversations with Emma over the last couple of weeks and it really clear to me how much being part of a British team would mean to her.
“We saw how much it meant when she represented her team in April at the Billie Jean King Cup but also I think she feels it is not the right time for her.
“A lot of that is the late notice for the spot, also the surface change from grass, clay and hard. Everyone is aware of her history and that places greater stress on her. Also an element of where her ranking is and getting to the U.S. and pushing back her ranking.”