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Tennis world erupts over 'disappointing' Emma Raducanu news

Andrew Reid
·3-min read
Emma Raducanu's Australian Open preparations have been hindered after she tested positive for Covid-19. Pic: Getty
Emma Raducanu's Australian Open preparations have been hindered after she tested positive for Covid-19. Pic: Getty

Emma Raducanu's preparations for next month's Australian Open have suffered a significant setback after the British teen sensation tested positive for Covid-19.

The 19-year-old, who this year became the first qualifier in history to win the women's US Open grand slam title, was forced to pull out of this week's Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

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Britain's No.1 female star was due to face Olympic champion Belinda Bencic on Thursday in the exhibition tournament, as she begins to ramp up her preparations for the first grand slam tournament of the new year.

Raducanu - who is double-vaccinated and had already travelled to the United Arab Emirates - will now have to complete a period of isolation.

Providing she does not experience any lingering illness, however, the World No.19 should still be able to travel to Australia ahead of the first grand slam tournament of 2022.

"I was very much looking forward to playing in front of the fans here in Abu Dhabi, but unfortunately, after testing positive for Covid-19, I will have to postpone until the next opportunity," Raducanu said in a statement released by the organisers.

"I'm isolating as per rules and hopefully will be able to get back soon."

Britain's Emma Raducanu reacts as she plays against China's Wang Xinyu at the Linz tournament in Austria.
Britain's Emma Raducanu has been forced to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19. Pic: Getty (BARBARA GINDL via Getty Images)

Raducanu, who became the first qualifier to win a grand slam when she beat Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows, has been working with new coach Torben Beltz ahead of what will be her first full season on the WTA Tour.

The teenager will also be in isolation for Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, where she is up against Tom Daley, Tyson Fury, Adam Peaty, Raheem Sterling and Sarah Storey in the public vote for Britain's top sportsperson of 2021.

News of Raducanu's sad predicament has left the tennis world praying for her swift recovery.

with agencies

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