Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been granted a wildcard entry into the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, set to commence on February 16, 2025. This marks her debut in the tournament, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Currently ranked No. 60 in the world, Raducanu is navigating a challenging period in her career, having endured four consecutive first-round defeats. These setbacks include losses to Marketa Vondrousova in Abu Dhabi, Ekaterina Alexandrova in Doha, and Cristina Bucsa in Singapore, as well as a straight-sets defeat to Iga Świątek at the Australian
In Dubai, Raducanu is scheduled to face Maria Sakkari in the first round. The two have met twice before, with Raducanu winning both encounters, including a semi-final victory during her US Open
To support her during this period, Raducanu will be accompanied by her mentor, Jane O’Donoghue, and fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura. She is currently without a permanent coach following the departure of Nick Cavaday due to health reasons last month.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a prestigious WTA 1000 event, attracting top-ranked players from around the globe. This year’s tournament features nine of the world’s top ten players, including World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No.
Raducanu’s participation in Dubai is a significant opportunity for her to regain form and confidence. Despite recent challenges, her talent and resilience remain evident, and the Dubai tournament could serve as a pivotal moment in her season.
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