Emma Raducanu’s Unusual Path to the Australian Open: From Qualifying Cancellations to Seeded Player

Emma Raducanu has avoided taking part in the qualifying tournament for the Grand Slam through several cancellations for the Australian Open (live on Eurosport and discovery+ from January 14th) and is entering the tournament as a seeded player.

Curious: In the world rankings, the former winner of the US Open is currently in 299th place. However, the direct jump into the main draw at the “Happy Slam” is quickly explained.

A special WTA rule allows players with injury breaks of more than six months to use their previous ranking as a basis.

This passage now benefits Raducanu. The 21-year-old had not played a match since May 2023 after having to undergo several operations on her wrists and ankles. Before her forced break, she was ranked 103rd in the world. She can use the rule seven more times until May.

Raducanu wins comeback

Since several places in the first highlight of the year became available due to the withdrawal of Lauren Davis (shoulder problems), Karolina Muchova, Irina-Camelia Begu and Caty McNally as well as the two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova (pregnancy), Raducanu is now sliding straight into the starting field.

Raducanu only returned on Tuesday at the ASB Classic in Auckland and beat Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6:3, 4:6, 7:5 in her comeback. In the round of 16 of the tournament she will face Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.

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2024-01-03 12:35:00
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