Emma Raducanu has received a boost as the Brit gained direct entry into the upcoming Indian Wells WTA 1000 after originally failing to meet the ranking cut-off point and requiring a wildcard. It comes after the world No 80 suffered a fresh setback when she was forced to pull out of this week’s ATX Open after contracting tonsillitis.
Raducanu’s 2023 season hasn’t gone to plan so far with the 20-year-old being forced to pull out of this week’s WTA 250 in Texas after getting tonsillitis. It comes after she started the year by rolling her ankle in Auckland and retiring in tears with the injury hindering her preparations for the Australian Open, where she ultimately lost in the second round.
The British No 1 has not competed since after she withdrew from this week’s ATX Open and was set to play in Indian Wells as a wildcard but she has now gained direct entry into the main draw following the withdrawal of Ana Bogdan. It means that a wildcard is now free for another star while Raducanu can have the satisfaction of getting in the draw off her own back.
Having peaked at No 10 in the world less than a year ago, Raducanu’s ranking took a tumble when she was unable to defend her historic US Open title from 2021 and crashed out in the opening round in September. The top-ranked Brit has since shared her hopes to build her ranking back up and grind it out at the smaller events but has had her plans derailed by injury and illness so far this year.
