Emma Raducanu almost began a downward spiral when it came to injury at the ASB Classic in Auckland, but despite that she would be welcomed to play the tournament and begin her comeback in 2024.
A key warm-up tournament for the Australian Open as one of the first of the season, the likes of Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber could yet battle for wildcards.
But Raducanu is also currently putting in the work in order to return and despite slipping on the courts and rolling her ankle which saw the US Open champion berate the courts, tournament director Nicolas Lamperin isn't ruling out a return.
Albeit with a caveat being that Raducanu hasn't fully set a return yet meaning in his mind, he has set his sights on other players who are more certain to return likely mooting a wildcard for Osaka, Kerber or even Caroline Wozniacki who herself won't play until 2024 despite a successful return.
This ankle injury was one of many last year and one she has since been operated on which causes the controversy, but the door remains open.
"There have been some, but it’s too early to say, because we still don’t have a set return date. The door is open if she wants to come, but we have had to go after other players, with whom we have more certainty. It’s not off the table, but we’d need more time, because we still don’t know when she’s coming back," said Lamperin in an interview with Stuff.
Frustration for Raducanu in Auckland as she retires to Kuzmova 6-0, 5-7 due to a rolled ankle This was the closest to USO form I’ve seen. The 1st set was stunning tennis. 3 UE and 1st serve % above 70%. Contrary to what haters say, Emma clearly put in work in the off season
