ABU DHABI — British tennis star Emma
Raducanu receiving a wildcard for the preliminary stage of the Abu Dhabi Open
and is set to enter a qualifying draw for the first time since her historic
2021 US Open victory.
The
22-year-old, who became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam,
will begin her campaign on Saturday when qualifying for the WTA 500 event
begins.
Raducanu,
currently ranked world number 56, is looking to regain momentum after a mixed
start to her 2024 season. She reached the third round of the Australian Open
but suffered a tough three-hour first-round loss to Cristina Bucsa at the
Singapore Open earlier this week.
Now,
she faces another test in Abu Dhabi, featuring many of the world’s best female
players. Elena Rybakina will defend her title, while Bencic plays in Abu Dhabi
for the first time since winning the inaugural event in 2023.
The
field also includes Kasatkina, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, Spain’s Paula
Badosa, and Tunisia’s Jabeur, who is expected to receive strong support from
local fans.
Adding
to her challenges, Raducanu is entering the tournament without a full-time
coach following Nick Cavaday’s departure due to health reasons. She is
currently traveling with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura but has yet to
announce a new coaching appointment.
Since
her stunning victory in New York four years ago, where she won ten consecutive
matches—including three in qualifying—without dropping a set, Raducanu has
experienced fluctuating form and injuries.
