It's official!: Emma Raducanu will be in 2024 Australian Open main draw

By virtue of American Lauren Davis's withdrawal due to a shoulder injury, Emma Raducanu, 21, is now officially entered into the 2024 Australian Open main draw.

Raducanu, the 2021 US Open Champion, made her comeback to the WTA Tour this week at the ASB Classic after spending the majority of 2023 injured and recovering from multiple surgeries.

Though Emma Raducanu notoriously won her Grand Slam title as a qualifier, she must be relieved to not have to endure the three rounds of qualifying beginning on January 8. She can set her sights on beginning the tournament on January 14 with the rest of the women in the main draw. The main draw will consist of 104 players automatically entered, 16 qualifying players, and 8 players who receive wildcards.

Could Emma Raducanu be a force to reckon with at the 2024 Australian Open?

It is premature to know what to expect from Raducanu. She showed flashes of greatness in her first-round match at the ASB Classic, but she will be tested more in her second-round match against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.

It is very difficult to comeback from a prolonged absence from the WTA Tour and achieve previous success. Injuries are an inevitable part of the game, but the recovery and return to the grind of the tour are challenging.

Raducanu is not the only player coming back from a prolonged hiatus due to injury. American Jennifer Brady got a head start on her comeback last fall after nearly two years away. Brady would be the first to acknowledge that it takes time and match play to gain the endurance, confidence, and stress management skills necessary to close out big wins in tournaments. Regardless of how Raducanu fares in Melbourne, it is great to have her healthy and back in the game.

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