Emma Raducanu skips the Paris Olympics as she arrives in Washington for WTA 500

Emma Raducanu landed in Washington DC, nearly 4,000 miles away from Paris, on Friday to prepare for next week’s Mubadala Citi DC Open.

The former US Open champion documented her arrival with an Instagram post by uploading a photograph of herself near the Washington Monument.

Raducanu, 21, decided to enter the WTA 500 hardcourt event after opting not to take part in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Her decision to skip the Paris Games was based on her reluctance to play on clay due to fears of suffering an injury setback.

Watson will also compete in the mixed doubles alongside Joe Salisbury, with the pair set to take on Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Felix Auger Aliassime in the first round on Monday.

READ MORE:Emma Raducanu opens up about pushy parents and strict upbringing

Raducanu’s decision to withdraw was ultimately good news for Watson – who might have missed out otherwise.

However, the 32-year-old has still questioned Raducanu.

Speaking earlier this week, Watson said: ‘I can’t really comprehend it. The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in history.

‘So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Anyone in general who chooses not to [participate], I can’t relate.’