Emma Raducanu's first grass court tournament ahead of Wimbledon confirmed after Roland Garros qualifying snub

Emma Raducanu as expected will start her grass court season in the UK and has been given a wildcard to the Nottingham Open which will begin on Saturday 8 June and run until Saturday 16 June in the East Midlands.

Raducanu has stuck to her word of sorts by starting his grass season at the earliest opportunity (lower level aside). She said that she was having a training block of sorts in order to get ready for the grass court season which explained her deciding to snub Roland Garros qualifying.

The former US Open champion copped criticism and bemusement as she decided against playing French Open qualifying. This was after she didn't receive a wildcard and was three players outside of the alternates. As it would've stood, the three players wouldn't have withdrawn anyway so likely would've had to play this week.

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The Brit initially withdrew from Strasbourg also and has not played since the Madrid Open where she suffered a damning loss to Maria Lourdes Carle. A shock as Raducanu had a pretty good opener to her clay court season. She impressed at Billie Jean King Cup and Stuttgart and looked to be kicking on. But as is often the way with Raducanu much to frustration, she then suffered a setback.

But now she will aim to begin her grass court season as she means to go on. She will now join Ons Jabeur, Katie Boulter and Barbora Krejcikova in the line-up for the tournament. Set to take place the week after Roland Garros, it takes place in tandem with Libema Open 's-Hertogenbosch which is also on the same week. Birmingham and Eastbourne follow in the UK. Given that Boulter was already given wildcards for all tournaments, Raducanu will likely follow suit as well as Wimbledon.

Albeit with the reveal of the Entry List today, it was set that her route to Wimbledon might not be that smooth. Nottingham though which has Laura Robson as its tournament director is a tad easier. The former British No.1 has supported her compatriot over the past few days surrounding her decision to withdraw from the French Open. They said that it is 'sensible' for her to prioritise the grass court season. For Robson of course, it is a coup as she adds another big name to the tournament too.

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Melanie Lautrup

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Nottingham WTA 250 | Wildcard: 🇬🇧Emma Raducanu

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