Emma Raducanu set for Abu Dhabi Open after receiving wildcard, joins Ons Jabeur and Beatriz Haddad Maia in field
WTAMonday, 08 January 2024 at 22:30
The 2021 US
Open champion received a wild card from the organizers of the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi
Open, joining Ons Jabeur and Beatriz Haddad Maia. The tournament will take
place from February 5th to February 11th and will mark its third edition,
without the presence of the defending champion Belinda Bencic, who is sidelined
for the rest of the season due to her pregnancy.
Raducanu
confirmed her participation in her first tournament after the Australian Open,
making her debut in Abu Dhabi. The full list of players in the main draw is yet
to be confirmed by the organizers.
Raducanu's Return
Raducanu
made a triumphant return to competition this week, exciting fans with the
impressive level of play she showcased. In the first round, she overcame
Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse (6-3, 4-6, 7-5), but faced a tough challenge in
the second round against the tournament's second seed, Elina Svitolina (7-6,
6-7, 6-1). Nevertheless, Raducanu displayed solid gameplay in her comeback
after nine months away from competition.
The
21-year-old Brit secured her spot in the Aussie Open main draw after American
Lauren Davis withdrew due to a shoulder injury. Last year in Melbourne,
Raducanu reached the second round, where she fell to the 7th seed Coco Gauff
(3-6, 6-7).
Haddad Maia and Jabeur Advance to Abu Dhabi’s Main Draw
The
Brazilian had a challenging start to the season, exiting in the first round of
the Adelaide International against former Australian Open finalist Anastasia
Pavlyuchenkova. Haddad Maia faced defeat in her only official match before the
first Grand Slam of the year.
As for
Jabeur, she will arrive in Melbourne without any official matches under her
belt this year. The 3-times Grand Slam finalist will be the 6th seed, and in
Abu Dhabi, she will play in only her second tournament of the year.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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