Emma Raducanu vs Naomi Osaka charity match cancelled

|

The duo were set to lock horns at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday

Osaka (L) made a comeback at the Brisbane International having not stepped on the court since withdrawing from the Pan Pacific Trophy with a knee injury in September 2022. - AFP

The charity match set to take place between Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka in Melbourne before the Australian Open was cancelled on Tuesday.

The duo were set to lock horns at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday before the first major of the year, which begins on Sunday, January 16.

The former World No 1 Osaka pulled out of the match on Monday night, with Donna Vekic initially set to replace her but organisers have now announced that the match will not be held.

Osaka made a comeback at the Brisbane International having not stepped on the court since withdrawing from the Pan Pacific Trophy with a knee injury in September 2022. She also gave birth for the first time in July.

Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, spent majority of 2023 on the sidelines after ankle and wrist surgeries but made a comeback after eight months in Auckland last week.

Both players will not feature in another match before the first round of the Australian Open.

Earlier, Osaka was elated to see the love from fans on her latest comeback.

"I just really appreciate people coming out and cheering for me, because I feel there was a time that I was just a little kid trying to watch my role models play," Osaka said.

"So it feels really surreal sometimes to be playing on these courts."

Meanwhile, Raducanu opened up about the expectations that followed her New York triumph.

"Overall, I'm feeling positive and lighter. I think that for two years after the U.S. Open I felt maybe a bit more weight on my shoulders, but now I feel completely fresh," Raducanu said.

Raducanu has not gone beyond the second round of a major since her Flushing Meadows triumph, which has led to criticism.

"It's nice not to have three casts on you," she added. "So just moving around and showering, (doing) everything you really appreciate, being able to do your own hair, stuff like that. I'm just happy to be back playing."

Comments

مضمون کا ماخذ:پاور بال
سائٹ کا نقشہ