British star Emma Raducanu has not played a professional match since April (Picture: Getty)
Emma Raducanu has confirmed her intention to play the Australian Open as the British star looks to make her return from long-term injury problems.
The 21-year-old has not played a professional match since April, missing the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open after undergoing three different surgeries.
Raducanu, who remarkably won the Flushing Meadows title as a qualifier in 2021, massively struggled with injuries this year and has only managed 10 matches.
But after operations on both wrists and her left ankle, and providing various updates on social media of herself building up fitness, Raducanu has officially appeared on the Australian Open entry list with a protected ranking of No.103.
The first Grand Slam of the year gets underway on January 14 and despite major tournaments having 104 direct entrants, it is possible that Raducanu may have to enter qualifying if numerous other players using protected rankings.
However, Raducanu could yet be handed a wildcard, or if there are some withdrawals, she may qualify for the main draw automatically.
It is also not yet clear if Raducanu, currently ranked No.296, will play any warm-up events before the action gets underway at Melbourne Park, which could allow her to climb up the WTA standings.
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Despite an injury-hit 2023, Raducanu showed glimpses of her quality at Indian Wells in March with a run to the fourth round, only losing to top-seed Iga Swiatek.
Former British No.1 Laura Robson, speaking to Metro.co.uk, earlier this year, backed Raducanu to return to the very top of the sport once she is back to full fitness.
‘I think she’s absolutely got the ability to get back to the position she was in before,’ Robson said. ‘She’s still so young, she’s got all the time in the world to get back to the top level. I don’t doubt that she can do it.’
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The British star has not played since April.