Emma Raducanu is currently slated to play qualifying for the 2024 Australian Open, but has got further towards not having to play early on in Melbourne after the ASB Classic next week.
Raducanu will play the ASB Classic in the first week of January in her tennis comeback, but will have little time to recuperate after nearly a year out currently with the qualifying for the Australian Open taking place on January 8.
But Caty McNally has given her a favour either in terms of the main draw or better seeding for qualifying. The American has withdrawn from the main draw which means Kamilla Rakhimova will instead play in the main draw.
Next up is Yafan Wang, which means that Raducanu will only need three more withdrawals to make the main draw in Melbourne. Albeit there is the peril either way that she will face a big name seed which given her status will be thrust into the spotlight so it will likely be learning the hard way to start her comeback.
It is also yet unknown despite her departing for Auckland whether Nick Cavaday will be her coach during this swing, with her former LTA coach from her days in her hometown of Bromley taking on the role as of late with Sonder Devvarman as hitting partner as they aim to get the former US Open champion firmly back on track.
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🚨Australian Open 2024:
OUT: Caty McNally 🇺🇸
IN: Kamilla Rakhimova 🏳️
NEXT: Yafan Wang 🇨🇳
(Raducanu will now need 3 more withdrawals to get into the MD)