The Australian Open didn’t provide the ideal start to 2025 for Emma Raducanu. Despite showing glimpses of strong form, her performance dipped significantly in the third round, where she was eliminated in dominant fashion by former World No.1 Iga Swiatek with a 6-1, 6-0 defeat. Following this, her path to securing direct entry into upcoming WTA events became challenging. However, on Friday, she received a wildcard entry for the Abu Dhabi Open, and now, an even bigger boost has arrived.
Raducanu’s initial placement in the Abu Dhabi Open qualifiers has been canceled—for a good reason. Instead of battling through the qualifying rounds, she has secured a direct entry into the main draw. Her first-round opponent has yet to be announced.
Before heading to Abu Dhabi, Raducanu competed in the Singapore Open earlier this week. Still reeling from her Australian Open exit, she struggled to find her rhythm. Facing Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the Round of 32, she started strong by winning the first set 7-5, but Bucsa mounted a comeback, ultimately winning the match 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 after more than three hours of play.
Despite recent setbacks, Raducanu remains optimistic about her season. Following her defeat in Singapore, she reflected on her performance, stating, “I feel OK. I feel like I have certain things we all manage as the year goes on. I think it’s pretty early in the season.” She emphasized the value of competitive match experience, noting that extended time on the court would help her regain form.
However, Raducanu faces another challenge beyond her on-court struggles. After her Australian Open exit, her former coach, Nick Cavaday, announced their split. Cavaday explained that he needed to prioritize his health and spend more time at home, making it difficult to commit to the rigorous tour schedule. Despite the separation, he expressed confidence in Raducanu’s future, highlighting her return to a top-60 ranking as a positive sign.
With no coach currently in place, Raducanu’s performance in Abu Dhabi will be closely watched. Fans will be eager to see if she can turn her wildcard entry into a breakthrough moment and build momentum for the rest of the season.