Britain’s Emma Raducanu has accepted a wildcard to play on the Auckland Traditional within the New Yr after lacking out on one within the preliminary batch provided by the Australian Open.
The previous U.S. Open winner has had a prolonged absence from the tour following operations on each wrists and an ankle this yr however hopes to be match for the beginning of the 2024 season.
The 21-year-old is ready to return to Auckland with a protected rating of 103 and a yr on from exiting the match in tears after rolling her ankle throughout a second-round match moved indoors because of moist climate.
Raducanu condemned the court docket for being “very slippery” after retiring towards Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova, although organisers have been adamant the floor was match to play.
“Regardless of the actual fact she needed to retire this yr, she was actually pleased to return again,” match director Nicolas Lamperin instructed New Zealand media on Thursday.
Raducanu joins a area that includes reigning champion and U.S. Open holder Coco Gauff and former world primary Caroline Wozniacki, who was given a wildcard as she continues her tour comeback after a three-year hiatus to start out a household.
American Amanda Anisimova was additionally given a wildcard and is ready to return to motion after pulling out of the tour in Could, citing burnout and psychological well being considerations.
Not like former Australian Open champion Wozniacki, who gained her sole Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park in 2018, Raducanu missed out on a wildcard within the preliminary batch introduced on Wednesday for the yr’s first Grand Slam.
Organisers will award one other 4 for the ladies’s singles most important draw earlier than the match begins January 14.
If Raducanu misses out once more she could should battle by way of qualifying to compete.