Emma Raducanu gets closer to 2024 Australian Open main draw after latest withdrawal

Emma Raducanu is getting closer to not having to play qualifying at the 2024 Australian Open, with the former US Open champion now only four spots away.

Julia Grabher has withdrawn from the tournament meaning that Raducanu is only a few withdrawals away from not having to play qualifying, but it will likely be a nervy wait and similar to Dominic Thiem in the Men's, she will likely have to still enter qualifying with the hope of withdrawals.

Also out of the tournament is Irina-Camelia Begu who was the first player from the main draw to withdraw. Grabher was in qualifying as one of the first alternates, but has withdrawn entirely bumping Raducanu up the list ever so slightly.

Aleksandra Krunić is the last one in currently as 99th, with Kamilla Rakhimova, Wang Yafan, and Tamara Zidansek the next in when it comes to alternates before Raducanu. Sara Errani and Kaja Juvan follow Raducanu. But the likelihood is that Raducanu's wishes might be met as the alternate pool widens and with Petra Kvitova entered for instance but as reported on Tuesday is unlikely to play after not picking up a racquet for 11 weeks, it will get closer to becoming a reality.

Raducanu is currently back training in the UK, with her old childhood coach as she prepares to head to the ASB Classic. Her protected ranking wasn't high enough from when she last played in Stuttgart to get into the Main Draw and with no reciprocal agreement with Wimbledon surrounding wildcards, she is unlikely to get in through that route.