Emma Raducanu's miserable 2024 season all but ends with latest withdrawal

Emma Raducanu has become the latest player to drop out of this month's Hong Kong Open and it effectively ends the season for the Brit who has had a miserable time of it especially in recent months.

Raducanu has been recovering from the foot injury that forced her to retire ahead of her Korea Open Quarter-Final against Daria Kasatkina a month ago. She has already missed four tournaments which she initially signed up for.

She said she was all set to have a big Asian swing especially being of Chinese heritage. But it soon discernibly blew up in her face as she got injured and has battled to return since. Her spot has been taken by former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. The American has similarly had troubles when it comes to returning to her best after becoming a Grand Slam champion.

Raducanu had confirmed she is playing in Hong Kong last week in a video released by the tournament. “Hello everyone, it’s Emma Raducanu here. I really cannot wait to come and play the Prudential Women’s Hong Kong Open," she said.

"It’s my first time playing the WTA event there, but I was there in December last year and I really loved the city.

“So I’m very much looking forward to coming and I hope to see you all there in October.”

The only tournament Raducanu is signed up for to end the year is the Billie Jean King Cup Finals which will likely be her focus now instead of heading to Hong Kong for a sole week. Instead it is a shorter trip to Malaga from London in a few weeks hopefully fresh for a title tilt. But it is a shame to see Raducanu have such a stop start to her season. Albeit it is by design, it has added fuel to the fire for doubters who she will hope to silence in 2025.