Emma Raducanu entered the main draw of the Australian Open after the withdrawal of Lauren Davis

The former US Open champion Emma Raducanu entered the Australian Open main draw after the withdrawal of Lauren Davis (USA). Lauren Davis has informed organizers of the first Grand Slam of the year that she has a shoulder injury that will keep her out of the court.

Emma Raducanu, who defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round of the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland (New Zealand), is trying to find her form after wrist and ankle surgeries she underwent in 2023. She slipped to world’s number 301 in the WTA rankings, but even her protected spot was not good enough to enter into the main draw at Melbourne Park before Lauren Davis’ withdrawal.

The 21-year-old British tennis talent was also overlooked for a wildcard and had to take a similar route to 2021 at Flushing Meadows. She then became the first player in the Open Era to win a Slam tournament starting in the qualifying rounds.

But now Lauren Davis’ exit, followed by the withdrawals of Karolina Muchova, Petra Kvitova, Irina-Camelia Begu and Caty McNally, has opened up a spot for Emma Raducanu in the main draw of the tournament, which runs from January 14-28.