Emma Raducanu returned to action at the Auckland Open but will not play another match before getting her Australian Open campaign under way; first Grand Slam of 2024 begins on Sunday in Melbourne but there are unknowns about Raducanu's fitness; draw takes place on Thursday
Wednesday 10 January 2024 17:37, UK
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from a second exhibition match just four days out from the Australian Open, amid growing injury concerns.
Raducanu was due to play at the Kooyong Classic on Thursday against Paula Badosa and also pulled out of a match originally scheduled to be against Naomi Osaka on Tuesday.
The 2021 US Open champion reportedly pulled out after experiencing "soreness" following a two-hour practice session on Monday. The Australian Open draw takes place on Thursday.
Two-time Australian Open winner Osaka also withdrew from the match against Raducanu, with Donna Vekic initially announced as her replacement before organisers elected to cancel the match.
Osaka returned at the Brisbane International having not played since withdrawing from the Pan Pacific Trophy with a knee injury in September 2022. She became a mother for the first time in July.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was injured for most of 2023 after ankle and wrist surgeries but made her competitive return after eight months in Auckland last week. Both players will not play another match before the first round of the Australian Open.
A raft of withdrawals have allowed Raducanu direct entry using the protected ranking of 103 from before her triple surgery.
The hope is this can be a fresh start for the 21-year-old, who looked happy and relaxed on her return to the tour in Auckland last week, and showed in a close defeat to Elina Svitolina that she remains a high-class player.
Raducanu is back working with former coach Nick Cavaday ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday. The pair have reunited after time together during Raducanu's junior days.
While the lifespan of a coach for Raducanu has been notably short - her split from Sebastian Sachs last year left her searching for a sixth coach in two years - it is understood Cavaday and Raducanu are keen to work together going forward after the Australian Open.
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