Emma Raducanu opts against Kooyong warm-up after charity match snub with training only before Australian Open return

Emma Raducanu withdraws from Kooyong Exhibition three days before the start of the 2024 Australian Open. The 2021 US Open champion would have faced the 16-year-old young star Mirra Andreeva in the customary charity match that precedes the first Grand Slam of the year.

The British star withdrew just one day after the 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka announced her absence from the exhibition, so neither of the two players announced in recent weeks will participate in the event.

According to a report by BBC Sport, in the Tuesday morning training session at Melbourne Park, Raducanu had a "little sore" after a two-hour practice session, which led to the decision not to play in the exhibition.

“Emma Raducanu has opted against playing at Kooyong tomorrow so this is now going to be a lighter week of Australian Open preparation than originally intended. The draw, by the way, is at 2am GMT tomorrow morning”

Former world No. 2 Paula Badosa, the young Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, Donna Vekic, and the Australian star Taylah Preston will also be present at Kooyong. On the men's side, representatives include Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Karen Khachanov, Frances Tiafoe, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Matteo Berrettini, Milos Raonic, Marin Cilic, Marc Polman, and Zhang ZhiZhen.

The 21-year-old tennis player had a 9-month absence from the WTA Tour due to injuries in her ankle and both wrists, leading to surgery. The young British player returned in Auckland for the ASB Classic and secured a victory against Elena-Gabriela Ruse (6-3, 4-6, 7-5), showcasing a high level of play.

Raducanu faced a tough second-round match against Elina Svitolina, and despite starting with an advantage, the Ukrainian eventually won the three-set battle by 7-6, 6-7, 6-1. Raducanu entered the main draw of the Australian Open following several withdrawals from the entry list, allowing her to skip the qualifying rounds.