Will Emma Raducanu play at the Australian Open? Injury update ahead of 2024 tennis tournament

Author Photo Author Photo
Emma Raducanu
(Getty Images)

Following eight months on the sidelines, rising tennis superstar Emma Raducanu is back on the court ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. 

Raducanu hadn't played in a professional tournament for nearly eight months following surgery on her ankle as well as both hands, hoping to address a collection of physical issues she had been dealing with. 

After being eliminated in the second round in the last two Australian Opens, Raducanu will no doubt be hoping to go further when she next sets foot in Melbourne later this month.

MORE: Who is the world No.1 in women's tennis? Updated WTA rankings

Will Emma Raducanu play at the Australian Open?

Emma Raducanu has been confirmed to feature in the 2024 Australian Open main draw.

Her protected ranking of No. 103 was initially five spots outside the main draw cut-off.

However, following the recent withdrawal of Lauren Davis due to a shoulder injury, Raducanu will take her place.

The Brit recently made her return to tennis at the Auckland Open.

She has been working with her childhood coach Nick Cavaday during her rehab, notably training at the Lawn Tennis Association's National Tennis Centre in London.

Emma Raducanu in 2023

Raducanu underwent surgery in April after the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where she was bundled out of the tournament by Jelena Ostapenko.

She was forced to miss Wimbledon, the French Open and US Open.

When is Australian Open 2024?

Australian Open 2024 will commence on Sunday, January 14 and become a 15-day event for the first time, finishing on Sunday, January 28.

Emma Raducanu injury history: What has kept her out in the past?

The unfortunate Raducanu has suffered an injury during almost every month of the season since the end of 2021, pulling out of tournaments and matches while her game has inevitably suffered.

Here is a list of the problems she has faced.

Date Tournament Injury
December 2021 Abu Dhabi Open, Melbourne Summer Set Covid
January 2022 Australian Open Hand blisters
February 2022 Guadalajara Open Hip
March 2022 Indian Wells Back
April 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Foot blisters
May 2022 Italian Open Back
June 2022 Nottingham Open Abdominal
September 2022 Korea Open Glute
October 2022 Transylvania Open Wrist
January 2023 Auckland Open Ankle
February 2023 ATX Open Tonsillitis
March 2023 Eisenhower Cup Fitness
March 2023 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers Wrist
April 2023 Madrid Open Wrist
Author(s)
Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia.

Jed Wells Photo

Jed is a social media producer for The Sporting News Australia.