Will Emma Raducanu play at the Australian Open? Injury update ahead of 2024 tennis tournament

Following eight months on the sidelines, rising tennis superstar Emma Raducanu could be nearing her return, with the 21-year-old hoping to compete in the 2024 Australian Open. 

Raducanu hasn’t played in a professional tournament since April following surgery on her ankle as well as both hands, hoping to address a collection of physical issues she had been dealing with. 

After being eliminated in the second round in the last two Australian Opens, Raducanu will no doubt be hoping she can go further when she next sets foot in Melbourne. 

Will Emma Raducanu play at the Australian Open?

Emma Raducanu has been confirmed to feature in the 2024 Australian Open qualifying draw.

Her protected ranking of No. 103 was five spots outside the main draw cut-off, so the former US Open champion will have to go the long way.

Raducanu is scheduled to make her return to tennis at the Auckland Open – roughly one week before qualifying begins at Melbourne Park.

The British player has been working with her childhood coach Nick Cavaday during her rehab and push towards a return, training at the Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre in London.

Emma Raducanu in 2023

Raducanu underwent surgery in April, after the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix that saw her bundled out of the tournament by Jelena Ostapenko.

She was forced to miss Wimbledon, the French Open, and the US Open, with the 2024 Australian Open set to be the first Grand Slam she will contest since the 2023 Australian Open. 

When is Australian Open 2024?

Australian Open 2024 will commence on Sunday, January 14 and become a 15-day event for the first time, finishing on Sunday, January 28.

Emma Raducanu injury history: What has kept her out in the past?

The unfortunate Raducanu has suffered an injury during almost every month of the season since the end of 2021, pulling out of tournaments and matches while her game has inevitably suffered.

Here is a list of the problems she has faced.

Source