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Emma Raducanu is going to the Australian Open despite picking up an ankle injury in Auckland… and her team are hoping she’s only suffered a minor sprain and can reach her first Grand Slam of the year.
Emma Raducanu is heading to Melbourne hoping that the ankle injury she suffered on Thursday will not prevent her from participating in the Australian Open.
The British number one limped off the pitch in tears after leaving the ASB Classic in Auckland when she slipped after making a sharp turn behind the baseline.
He then criticized what he saw as a slippery indoor court surface, being used due to heavy rain outside, suggesting that such a mishap is likely to occur in those conditions.
Emma Raducanu will head to the Australian Open despite picking up an ankle injury on Thursday
While there was no official update, word this morning from his reps was that he would only be a grade one sprain at best.
If that were the case, there would still be a good chance that he could make it to the starting line for the first Grand Slam of the season, which begins a week from now on Monday.
She definitely hasn’t decided to return to the UK, but initial thoughts that she might be a late entry to next week’s WTA event in Adelaide are completely out of the question.
But the British number one is hopeful that she can recover in time for the first Grand Slam of the season.
Raducanu received attention from the coach, but withdrew early in the third set at the ASB Classic
Meanwhile, Auckland tournament director Nicolas Lamperin responded to their complaints by noting that the WTA’s duty supervisor had deemed the courts fit for play.
“Obviously we are very sorry about Emma’s injury,” Lamperin told New Zealand media. “Like all players, they work very hard in the off-season, that’s not what you expect when you play a tournament in the first week.”
“However, injuries happen all the time and they could have happened on outdoor courts as well. We regret the situation but we also say that these courts are fit to play.
‘First of all, I want to make sure he’s okay. I understand the frustration. There are ten days left until the Australian Open. It comes from a season with a lot of injuries, so of course this is something that generates frustration.”