Emma Raducanu leaves fans worried after late withdrawal from charity match
British tennis star Emma Raducanu left fans concerned after pulling out of a charity match at short notice, less than a week before the Australian Open.
Raducanu was spared having to qualify for the Melbourne tournament, which will be her first Grand Slam appearance since the same event in 2023. The 21-year-old, who struggled with injury for most of last season, lined up a pair of exhibition games, the first of which was due to see her face Naomi Osaka on Tuesday.
Osaka, a two-time Australian Open winner, pulled out of the match, with Donna Vekic taking her place. Just hours before she was due to take to the court, though, Raducanu also opted out after waking up feeling "soreness" following a training session on Monday night.
Some ticket-holders have voiced their frustration after the late withdrawal, while fans not in attendance are worried for Raducanu. She only recently made a long-awaited comeback, playing in Auckland, and a run of matches in Australia could well take its toll if she's already experiencing soreness.
"That's disappointing news. I hope she's okay and that it's nothing serious," one fan wrote on social media. "It's always a bummer when athletes have to withdraw from events due to injuries or other reasons. I wish her a speedy recovery…"
"Probably the right idea to not take any unnecessary risks especially considering she only recently returned from multiple injuries and surgeries and with the Australian Open around the corner as well," added another. Raducanu has one more scheduled warm-up match, which is still due to go ahead at the time of writing.
Others were less sympathetic, though. "Three things you can be sure of: Death, taxes [and] Raducanu pulling out of an exhibition match," one wrote, while another questioned the wisdom of picking Raducanu and Osaka for a charity match after the pair's injury history.
What are your hopes for Emma Raducanu in Melbourne? Have your say in the comments section
Naomi Osaka had earlier pulled out of the charity match (Getty Images)Raducanu's update comes after Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Australian Open altogether. Former champion Nadal had recently returned after a year out injured but didn't feel ready for the demands of the tournament.
"During my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried," Nadal explained. "Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have a micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that's good news.
"Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in five sets matches. I'm flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest.
"I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in three months. Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season."
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