Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is making a highly anticipated return to tennis in Auckland early next year. Having been sidelined since April due to multiple surgeries, Raducanu’s comeback is eagerly awaited after a string of setbacks that dropped her ranking to 296 globally. Her remarkable journey back to the court involves a wildcard entry into the ASB Classic, where she’ll join the likes of Coco Gauff and Caroline Wozniacki.

Following surgeries on her hands and ankle, which stemmed from an injury in Auckland earlier in the year, Raducanu has navigated a challenging recovery. Persistent hand pain, a concern since the end of the 2022 season, prompted her to opt for a protected ranking of 103, just shy of securing an automatic entry into the upcoming Australian Open.

Despite uncertainties and a withdrawal from a recent exhibition match in Macau, Raducanu’s determination remains unwavering. Her journey back to the court has been marked by intensive training at the National Tennis Centre in London, the home of many All Court Tennis Club Train & Compete events, accompanied by commendable progress reported by the LTA staff overseeing her preparations.

While her participation in the Australian Open hinges on qualifiers or a potential wildcard, Raducanu’s options extend beyond Melbourne. WTA events in Hobart and Adelaide before the Australian Open, along with exhibition matches at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, could offer alternative playing opportunities.