Even without Emma Raducanu, British players completely wiped out in French Open round one aberration

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 at 14:24

Maybe Emma Raducanu was right after all in her pursuit of the grass court season with all British players suffering early defeats at the French Open in a truly nightmarish first round with Katie Boulter being the final player to be defeated last night.

Boulter went up a set on Paula Badosa but lost out 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to the Spaniard as she was the last to go out. As well as the British No.1, there was also Andy Murray in his final French Open which Stan Wawrinka dominated 4-6, 4-6, 2-6. It was the lost foray for the great Brit in the Grand Slam. Cameron Norrie also lost out in a five set thriller against Pavel Kotov only for the Russian to win.

Jack Draper could've been facing off against Carlos Alcaraz as of time of writing. But he featured in a nail-biting final set defeated 5-7, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 3-6 to the Dutchman. Dan Evans was also easily beaten by 13th seed Holger Rune. Harriet Dart was the other Brit to be defeated, with Jodie Burrage not playing due to injury.

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Emma Raducanu did not play after not receiving a wildcard and will instead begin her season in two weeks at the Nottingham Open which will also be played by Boulter. Murray's next step will be doubles with Dan Evans which he has received a wildcard for. He will then shift onto grass with Surbiton and then Queen's likely on his list. The former he is defending champion.

But it highlights an issue with British players. Raducanu has shone bright for a time but fell away, Murray is of course at the end of his career. Whilst Boulter is perhaps an anomaly as she is in the form of her life but never thrives on clay. But with the usual wildcards to come for British stars, the onus will be on them to improve.

Aside from Murray, Raducanu and the odd success for other stars, British stars have flattered to deceive for a long time and it is a country starved of any real success and that continues at the 2024 French Open.

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