Tennis fans left raging at Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu move before Australian Open
Aussie tennis fans heading to Melbourne Mark were left confused at the last moment.
Aussie tennis fans were left disappointed on Tuesday after Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu were unable to take part in a charity match at Melbourne Park, which was cancelled at the last moment. The four-time grand slam champion was set to take on British sensation Raducanu on Tuesday on Rod Laver Arena.
Fans could purchase tickets for $20 to help a good cause and see two of the biggest names in tennis face off ahead of the Australian Open. However, Osaka made the disappointing announcement she would need to withdraw from the match having come down sore after her Brisbane International return after more than a year out from competition.
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Donna Vekic was Osaka's replacement, but Raducanu then made the tough decision to withdraw from the charity match having also felt some soreness after training the day before. Both players had just withdrawn due to precaution, but fans felt frustrated with many claiming they found out the match was cancelled too late.
The Australian Open claimed anyone that had purchased a ticket would receive an automatic refund. However, others were frustrated many would have travelled to Melbourne Park without seeing the announcement. Others pointed out the timing of the match between two players who have just made their comeback to tennis was going to be a worry due to injury so close to the Australian Open.
So the first Rod Laver Arena charity match has been scrapped. First Naomi Osaka pulled out, to be replaced by Donna Vekic, until Emma Raducanu decided it would be smarter to rest having woken up with a “little soreness” after a 2 hour practice last night
— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) January 9, 2024
So not cool. Not everyone got the texts. People would have left already as it was nearly sold out. Disgraceful letting some people know so late in the day.
— trishyswishytrish (@trishyswishytr1) January 9, 2024
Total mess
— Susie (@pandsreid) January 9, 2024
20 minutes and still no email or text from Ticketmaster informing ticket holders of this. People have already or are about to head out now, I reckon a lot would’ve just stayed home if they knew there’s no match.
— Nessie (@Nessiechu) January 9, 2024
Both players will have one eye on the Australian Open starting next week after taking time away from the tour last year. This comes as Raducanu found out she didn't have to go through qualification to play at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka happy with comeback tournament
Raducanu was granted a break having been handed entry into the main draw of the Australian Open. American Lauren Davis withdrew from the tournament, which allowed World No.301 Raducanu to go straight into the main draw due to her protected ranking.
Raducanu appears to have returned stronger in 2024 after undergoing surgery on both her wrists and her ankle in 2023. And Raducanu isn't the only one to return in 2024 in style.
Two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka returned to Australia having taken 2023 off after giving birth to her daughter. After more than a year away, Osaka looked in top form against German Tamara Korpatsch in her opening match of the Brisbane International. However, while pushing the No.16 seed all the way, Osaka fell to Karoline Pliskova in the second round in a close three-set battle.
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