LONDON: Emma Raducanu’s return to competitive tennis has been delayed after the British star pulled out of her scheduled tie against Japan’s Naomi Osaka at the United Cup in Perth on Sunday. The 23-year-old was set to play her first match since October as part of her build-up to the Australian Open, but the contest was deemed to have come too soon.
Raducanu has endured a difficult period since her stunning U.S. Open triumph as a teenager in 2021, battling inconsistent form and recurring fitness problems. She showed signs of revival last season with an impressive run to the Miami Open quarter-finals before physical issues once again forced her to end her campaign early.
Britain’s team captain Tim Henman said the decision to withdraw was a close call. “She was very close,” Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine. “It wasn’t an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well, but we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early.”
Local media reported that Raducanu withdrew due to injury, although Henman remained hopeful she could still feature later in the tournament. “I don’t think she’s necessarily out of this tournament just yet,” he said, adding that the team was keeping its fingers crossed as Raducanu continues her cautious return to the tour.
