Emma Raducanu is gearing up for a challenging return to the WTA Tour later this month, following yet another injury setback that has kept her off the court.
Criticism has mounted in recent months regarding Raducanu’s limited playing time, particularly after she opted out of qualifying for the French Open. This decision was echoed by her choice to skip the qualifying rounds for the WTA 1000 event in Montreal. Ultimately, the 2021 US Open champion participated in only one warm-up event before the US Open, where she faced an early exit in the first round, succumbing to a disappointing defeat against Sofia Kenin.
Following her loss in New York, Raducanu reflected on her career and hinted at the need for a strategic reevaluation. “I’m just going to go back to the drawing board and train and analyze where I went wrong and try and improve for the rest of the season,” she remarked. She noted, “Obviously, the Slams are over for this year, but it’s not actually that long until Australia comes around again.”
Expressing her desire for more competitive play, she added, “I would have preferred to probably play a little bit more before coming into the US Open. When I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good; you feel like everything’s automatic.” Raducanu emphasized that her decisions were part of a broader strategy, saying, “It wasn’t just me. It was more of like a collective call, and that’s what happened, and I can’t really change it.”
In her pursuit of a busy schedule for the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, Raducanu’s plans were derailed by a foot injury, leading her to withdraw from several events, including the China Open and Wuhan Open. This was particularly disappointing for her as she has Chinese heritage and had hoped to compete in her ancestral homeland for the first time.
Now, she aims to make a comeback in Hong Kong, but the challenge ahead could be significant. Currently ranked No. 54 in the live WTA Rankings, Raducanu might face formidable opponents in a high-quality draw. World No. 9 Danielle Collins is set to be the top seed, while a potential first-round matchup against Leylah Fernandez—a rematch of their 2021 US Open final—could also be on the cards. Additionally, fellow Brit Katie Boulter and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka are also in the tournament mix.
Raducanu could face Lulu Sun again, who eliminated her in the fourth round at Wimbledon this past July. Fortunately for her, with no ranking points to defend for the remainder of the year, a couple of wins in Hong Kong could propel her into the top 50 of the WTA Rankings.
With her sights set on gaining match experience before representing Great Britain in next month’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Raducanu is eager to make a statement. Although it’s unclear how much practice she has managed following her injury—she was recently seen in London wearing a protective boot—there are positive signs as she seeks to conclude her comeback season on a strong note.