Emma Raducanu snub 'taken badly' as she's blamed for decision that makes 'zero sense'

Emma Raducanu's former coach, Mark Petchey, insists she's not at fault for skipping theBillie Jean King Cup Finals, instead taking aim at the tournament's schedule. The 22-year-old declined to represent her country in next week's finale in favour of accepting a wildcard entry into the WTA 500 tournament in Seoul.

The British No. 1 had initially been named in GB's four-woman squad for the team event, often dubbed the World Cup of women's tennis. However, she pulled out last week, opting instead to focus on earning crucial ranking points. Petchey, who coached Raducanu earlier this year, is convinced it was the right move.

Raducanu has previously excelled in the national team, winning all three of her singles matches at last year's BJK Cup Finals, where Britain were eventually defeated by Slovakia in the semi-finals.

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But unlike last year, when the Finals were held in November at the end of the regular WTA Tour season, this year's event will take place in Shenzhen next week, prompting Raducanu to prioritise regular tour events.

Petchey, who joined Raducanu's team in March before they split after Wimbledon, believes no one can fault her for bypassing the team competition. In an interview with BetVictor, a tennis betting site, Petchey stated: "There's always two sides to everything.

"It's very easy to come down on the side that you should want to represent your country. To be fair to Emma, when you look back at what she achieved on the clay against France, she proved that when she's put up against it, she can A, produce the goods and B does want to play.

"I don't think you can blame Emma for a schedule that makes zero sense."Raducanu is currently collaborating with Francisco Roig, one of Rafael Nadal's former mentors, as they look to capitalise on their momentum at the forthcoming Korea Open.

However, had he remained part of the setup, Petchey would also have advised the Brit to concentrate on her singles programme. "For me, when I was with her and before Francisco took over the reins full-time, it was a 50-50 call for me in that regard," he added.

"If you're asking me personally, from a purely selfish point of view of wanting to be in the best position for Australia, I would tell her not to play. From a PR point of view, you know that people are going to take it badly.

"But a tennis player's career is short. She's suddenly on an upward curve. She understands the importance of wanting to get seeded. The tournament in Seoul is one that she obviously has played well at in the past. Tennis players obviously want to go back to environments that they feel good in, in conditions that they feel good in.

"It's early after the US Open; you're never quite sure what motivation level other players have at that particular stage. So, if you're asking me, I would have told her to make the same decision that she ultimately ended up making."

Despite the 22-year-old's absence from Britain's BJK Cup qualifier ties earlier this year, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage still managed to secure victory over Germany and the Netherlands, securing their place in the Finals.

With Francesca Jones stepping in as Raducanu's replacement, the team remain optimistic about their chances of advancing in Shenzhen next week, where they'll face Japan in the quarter-finals.