Another waiting game awaits as Emma Raducanu doesn't appear in French Open Entry List

Emma Raducanu will make her return to action today at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart but while she was assured of her spot in that draw due to her ambassadorship and roles off the court, the French Open will be more of a waiting game.

Those who remember the Australian Open will follow a similar route with Raducanu potentially having to play qualifying aside from a miraculous ranking leap in the coming weeks. She can use a protected ranking of 103 to get into Roland Garros but only qualifying similar to Melbourne.

The former US Open champion was preparing to play qualifying in Melbourne, but snuck into the main draw after several players pulled out due to injury. But most of those players have either entered with a protected ranking or not at all for instance Karolina Muchova who reached the final last season.

The wildcard situation means too that she won't likely benefit from that unlike a few others such as potentially Caroline Wozniacki or Simona Halep with spots going mainly to top French players and also reciprocal agreements with other Grand Slams for instance. Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka among others have all entered with their protected rankings alongside Bianca Andreescu, Amanda Anisimova among others. The current cut off is 99 meaning that Raducanu is the current fifth alternate for the French Open.

She would likely look at players like Andreescu for instance who have not played for a number of months and will be doubts despite entering the second major of the season for likely withdrawals. But given her recent form at the Billie Jean King Cup, she will back herself even if it means going through qualifying. A nervous wait is there though as she looks for another Australian Open type situation albeit not to the wire like Melbourne.