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AAP
AAP
Melissa Woods

Charity night featuring Osaka and Raducanu cancelled

Japan's Naomi Osaka cited a "precautionary measure" for pulling out of a charity match. (Zain Mohammed/AAP PHOTOS)

Tennis fans have been left disappointed by the last-minute cancellation of a charity night featuring two grand slam champions, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu.

Former world No.1 Osaka withdrew early on Tuesday as a "precautionary measure" with the 26-year-old Japan star on the comeback trail after giving birth.

The two-time Australian Open winner was replaced by world No.25 Croatian Donna Vekic for the Rod Laver Arena clash against 2021 US Open champion Raducanu of Great Britain.

But then organisers announced late in the day that the night was cancelled altogether and ticket-holders would be refunded.

Some fans were unhappy with the notice provided, saying they had already departed for the venue.

Osaka missed last year's Australian Open, giving birth to her daughter in July, and made her return to competitive tennis at last week's Brisbane International.

Spanish young gun Carlos Alcaraz is due to take on top-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur, the new world No.10, on Wednesday night in the second of four charity matches.

Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic headlines the main night on Thursday, which also includes 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Aryna Sabalenka, who won the women's title last year.

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