Emma Raducanu confirmed to make comeback at Pre-Australian Open tournament
Emma Raducanu is set to return to the WTA Tour in Auckland next month. This is the same tournament where the Briton left the court in tears last year.
Raducanu has undergone surgery on both wrists and left ankle and has been sidelined since April.
Since then, the 2021 U.S. Open champion has kept fans updated on his recovery process after dropping to No. 296 in the rankings.
August 2nd, THE FUN PART. 1st time back on court ♥️😆 pic.twitter.com/lnnspztXrz
– Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) 2. 2023 年 8 月
However, after appearing on the Australian Open entry list as an alternate and earning a wild card for the Auckland Classic, Raducanu appears to be on the verge of making a permanent comeback.
Raducanu was given a wild card for the WTA 250 tournament along with fellow returning player Amanda Anisimova as she looks to put last year’s tournament behind her.
Nāu mai, haere mai to @emmaraducanu 🤩🇬🇧
We can’t wait to see this Grand Slam champion return to the courts in Auckland in 2024! Get ready for the summer heat on Center Court 🔥
🎟️ チケット: https://t.co/cC2FzIgMy2#ASBClassic #LetsPlay pic.twitter.com /ghQjsGXcgK
– ASB Classic (@ASB_Classic) 6. December 2023
Earlier this year, Raducanu made her tournament debut at the Auckland Open and started the season in impressive fashion, seeing off Linda Frouviltois.
Due to heavy rain, several matches were postponed indoors, including Raducanu’s second round match against Viktoria Hrunchakova.
Raducanu, then 20, got off to a perfect start against the Slovakian, winning the first set 6-0, but dropped the second set due to an apparent ankle injury. Afterwards, he was forced to retire.
It was that ankle that later required “minor surgery” and Raducanu hopes to avoid further injury disappointment in New Zealand next year.
Raducanu will likely have to make his return at the Auckland Open, which starts on January 2, 2024, before moving to the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he will take part in qualifying.
In the baseline…
It has been a tough year for Raducanu. Even in the months she has been active on her WTA Tour, she has been plagued by injury problems. But after a busy few years, this break could be a much-needed blessing as Raducanu looks refreshed and fit for her new season. Raducanu will likely be rusty at first, so it’s a good decision for her to start the season with her WTA 250 tournament before her first major of the year.
Read more: Emma Raducanu confirms intention to participate in Australian Open in 2024
