Emma Raducanu Selected For Australian Open Qualifying Tournament
Before her comeback to play in 2024, Emma Raducanu has secured a spot in the Australian Open qualification.
After requiring surgery on both wrists and her ankle in May, the former US Open champion suffered from ailments throughout the previous season and fell to World No. 299 in the rankings.
Although she is now five spots outside of the main draw cut-off, the 21-year-old can employ a protected ranking prior to her comeback. Earlier in the year, Raducanu announced that she will participate in the Auckland Open in New Zealand.
Raducanu might still be able to enter the first grand slam of the year directly, but she would require other players to withdraw. With her victory in New York in 2021, the British player made history by being the first player in the Open era to win a major slam straight out of qualifying.
Despite struggling with physical issues the previous season, 30-year-old Austrian Dominic Thiem leads the Australian Open qualifying field. He is just one spot outside the main draw cutoff, though. The player is the former US Open champion.
The Australian Open qualifying round is scheduled to start on January 8, and the main event will take place from January 14–28. Before the new season begins on January 1, Emma Raducanu will visit Auckland, New Zealand, for the WTA tournament.