Emma Raducanu at 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: How has the Briton fared this season?
Emma Raducanu is back in tennis action this week (12-13 April), having not competed since the Indian Wells Masters in early March.
The 21-year-old withdrew from the Miami Open later that month due to a ‘lower back injury’.
Her return to the court comes at the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, as Great Britain looks to progress to the finals with a win over France.
Led by Katie Boulter, Raducanu completes a team consisting of Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Fran Jones.
It is the Briton’s first time competing in the BJK Cup since debuting in 2022, and the 2021 US Open winner is looking forward to returning to a ‘team environment’, telling LTA: “Just to have your team on the bench, it’s a nice feeling to have them behind you.
“You can look up to them whenever you are playing or whenever you feel like you need a bit of ‘oomph’, it’s a good environment.”
She is equally excited about playing on clay, though not her ‘most preferred surface’, it’s something she relishes the challenge of.
Raducanu is still chasing a spot for Paris 2024, and having been part of the BJK Cup team twice in a four-year cycle makes her eligible for selection.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain looks on in their round two singles match against Yafan Wang of China during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Emma Raducanu’s form in 2024
Since returning from an injury-plagued 2023 season, the Brit's form has been relatively inconsistent, yet to get close to winning a title.
Just before the Miami Open, Raducanu reached the third round of the Indian Wells Masters, losing out to world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka.
It is a result that will undoubtedly enthuse the 2021 US Open Champion, as she looks to return to her pre-injury self.
Here is how Raducanu has fared over the last three months...
March 2024
Miami Open: Forced to withdraw due to injury
Indian Wells Masters: Round of 32
- RO128: Emma Raducanu v Rebek Masarova (6-2, 6-3)
- RO64: Dayana Yastremska v Emma Raducanu (Walkover)
- RO32: Emma Raducanu v Aryna Sabalenka (3-6, 5-7)
February 2024
Qatar Open: Round of 64
- RO64: Emma Raducanu v Anhelina Kalinina (0-6, 6-7)
Abu Dhabi Open: Round of 16
- RO32: Marie Bouzková v Emma Raducanu (4-6, 1-6)
- RO16: Emma Raducanu v Ons Jabeur (4-6, 1-6)
January 2024
Australian Open: Second round
- First round: Emma Raducanu v Shelby Rogers (6-3, 6-2)
- Second round: Emma Raducanu v Wang Yafan (4-6, 6-4, 4-6)
ASB Classic: Round of 16
- RO32: Elena-Gabriela Ruse v Emma Raducanu (3-6, 6-4, 5-7)
- RO16: Emma Raducanu v Elina Svitolina (7-6, 6-7, 1-6)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 04: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates a point in her match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during the 2024 Women's ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 04, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Emma Raducanu’s schedule after 2024 BJK Cup qualifiers
After a stagnated 2023, Raducanu’s WTA ranking sees her at No.302. That means her entry into some events could depend on whether or not she is a wildcard, or if her ranking improves over the coming months.
If she plays in each of the upcoming tournaments, here is how 2024 could look following the BJK Cup qualifiers…
- Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (April 15-21)
- Madrid Open (April 23-4 May)
- Italian Open (May 7-18)
- Roland Garros (May 27-9 June)
- Nottingham Open (June 10-16)
- Birmingham Classic (June 17-25)
- Wimbledon (July 1-14)
- Olympic Games (27 July-4 August)
- Canadian Open (August 6-11)
- Cincinnati Open (August 12-18)
- US Open (August 26-8 September)
- Billie Jean King Cup finals (November 12-17)*
*Dependent on Great Britain’s progression.
For right now, though, attention is firmly on booking a spot in November's BJK Cup finals.