The U.S Open Champion Emma Raducanu will be missing the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event to be held in Abu Dhabi next week due to testing positive for Covid-19.
Emma Raducanu was supposed to face Belinda Bencic, the Olympics singles gold medalist on 16 to 18 December in the event.
“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,” Emma Raducanu said.
She further added, “I’m isolating as per rules and hopefully will be able to get back soon.”
The organizers are already on a search for “some alternative top female competitors” to replace Emma in the event.
Last year’s U.S. Open Champion Dominic Thiem and the world’s number six Rafael Nadal are said to be making a comeback in the tennis court in Abu Dhabi event after long injury layoffs.
Russian Andrey Rublev, Britain’s Andy Murray, Canadian Denis Shapovalov, and Norway’s Casper Ruud have also announced that they will be participating in the exhibition event before the official calendar season kicks in 2022 with the Australian Open.
A statement from the event organizers stated: “Emma is now isolating and following all necessary protocols. We wish her a quick recovery and hope to see her back on the court soon.”
The 19-year-old British teenager became the first-ever qualifier to win a grand slam at Flushing Meadows.
Emma Raducanu is said to be working hard with a new coach namely Torben Beltz. She will be beginning her first every full season with a professional tour to the Melbourne summer set. The first one of the WTA 250 events has been announced to start from 3rd January at Melbourne Park.
Emma Raducanu has won two out of 5 matches since her memorable win at the Flushing Meadows. She is currently ranked as world no. 19.
