"That was my decision": Paula Badosa explains reason behind absence from 2024 Paris Olympics

Spain’s tennis star Paula Badosa has revealed the reason behind not playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The mega-event began on Friday where athletes from all over the world will participate to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize.

Many big-name players, both from the men’s and women’s singles categories, opted not to play in the competition for different reasons. One of those players was Spain’s Badosa. The former world number two was recently quoted in a report stating that the primary reason for her opting not to play in the mega-event is that she is only interested in playing in events where she can get rating points.

"When the list came out, I said I would play here,” she said. “I am not going to change surfaces so quickly, from grass to clay and then to the hard court in Toronto. It was not the best for my back, and I have to prioritize my health. Also, due to the protected ranking I had to choose at that time. My ranking was not too good, so I had to choose between the Olympics or the US Open. I prefer to choose a tournament that gives me points. That was my decision. It's a pity not to be able to participate in the Olympics, but the conditions were what they were. I have to give priority to my back."

Badosa, after skipping the Olympics, has decided to take part in the Citi Open, where she will face America’s Sofia Kenin in the round of 32 clash on Monday. It will be the first meeting between the two players. The New York-born star is going through a difficult campaign. She has taken part in all three Grand Slams, where her best appearance came at Wimbledon. She was eventually knocked out of the fourth round after losing to Croatia’s Donna Vekic with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.