Emma Raducanu intends to build momentum in her comeback from injury by following the WTA Tour to the Middle East and testing herself against the best players in the world but is still unsure whether she will receive the wildcards she needs in order to compete.
“I would love to compete before [Indian Wells],” she said. “I think now going back, training a little bit, tidy some things up before I go compete again is great, obviously, depends on ranking and wildcard situation. Because, I don’t know, that’s not my decision.
“Of course, I’d love to play in the Middle East. But it’s not my call whether they would have me or not. So I’m waiting to hear on that.”
On Thursday, Raducanu lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against Wang Yafan in the second round of the Australian Open. Having only equalled her result from last year, the 21-year-old will be about the mid-290s in the rankings. Her placing dropped significantly in her eight-month absence from the tour last year after surgery to her hands and an ankle.
The 2021 US Open winner has, however, already received a wildcard into the Abu Dhabi WTA 500 event, which starts on 5 February, a week after the Australian Open finishes.
In the WTA’s new revamped calendar, two WTA 1000 events – Doha and Dubai – will follow in February before the tour moves to the United States in March for Indian Wells and Miami, the “sunshine double”.
Raducanu’s hopes of competing are complicated by her low protected ranking, which at No 103 would not qualify her for most main-draw events.
Last year, she attempted to push through wrist pain for months before undergoing surgery. Had she opted for surgery before the last tournament she played, Stuttgart, her ranking would have been 68. Instead, she will likely have to rely on wildcards to compete at the top level. As a grand slam winner, she is allowed unlimited wildcards.
Since returning to training after her surgery and setbacks, Raducanu has been working with the coach Nick Cavaday, who spent time working with her during her youth. She says that Cavaday, whose sister, Naomi, is a former top 200 player, will continue to coach her.
“I think just the familiarity, I think the comfort of being with someone that you’ve known for a long time, I’ve known him since even before we were coaching at 10,” she said. “I knew him from Bromley when I was six, so just that and having those moments and nostalgia.”
She continued: “I think the work we’re doing has been paying off because to get me to this level, only six weeks before I think from nothing, was good.”
Despite her physical frailty, she still does not intend to hire a permanent fitness trainer, something the majority of top players usually do. “I do like keeping my team small,” she said. “Just keeping everything as close knit and good people I trust.”
Uncertainty remains over whether she will compete for Great Britain in their Billie Jean King Cup tie against France, which will take place on 12 and 13 April. The tie, which will be hosted by the French, will be held on indoor clay.
Raducanu said: “I always love representing my country, but that being said, I think because of the amount of niggles and the rehab process, I think whatever suits my schedule and my fitness the best is going to have to take priority, especially this year.
“For example, if there’s a change in surface straight away, too close in succession, I think I’d have to evaluate what I do. The most sensible thing for me is staying healthy. That’s the priority for the year.”
