Emma Raducanu turns 21 on Monday, but despite cautious signs of optimism in her recent training return, her comeback has seemingly hit a stalling point ahead of mooted exhibition returns and the Australian Open.
As Britain faced Sweden in the Billie Jean King Cup this past weekend, Raducanu despite not playing for most of the season was one of their big misses as Jodie Burrage in particular struggled. After three minor surgeries which have prevented her playing since April, she sits just inside the top 300 and despite the only way being up, getting back on the court is the first issue.
In a report from the Daily Mail, journalist Mike Dickson writing said that it is understood that on the eve of her birthday today, the plans have fallen behind schedule after a wrist setback around six weeks ago.
It is now highly doubtful that she will now play in Macau in a return that has been mooted for most of the season due to sponsorship/management. Now it seems likely that at the earliest, she will return at as the article itself states the ASB Classic in Auckland.
A tournament that will also welcome Caroline Wozniacki and has struggled with potential stars even by the admission of the tournament mainly due to Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber as returnees deciding to play the United Cup. Tim Henman himself believed that Raducanu should follow the route of Jack Draper another player who has suffered with injury and not rush back.
He is now reaping the rewards reaching the final of Sofia and winning a Bergamo Challenger, but perhaps isn’t under the same media scrutiny as the 2021 US Open champion who no matter where she will return will still have huge spotlight on her despite not living up to the heights promised at Flushing Meadows.
Happy Birthday to Emma Raducanu 🎈🎂
🔹1st qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam title
🔹1st British woman to win a Grand Slam Singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977
🔹Youngest Grand Slam Champion since Maria Sharapova
🔹Career high ranking #10
🔹Former British world #1
In… pic.twitter.com/NPUW3cnonq
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 13, 2023
