Emma Raducanu issues 65-word statement after pulling out of yet another tournament as she reveals return date
EMMA RADUCANU has withdrawn from next week’s Hong Kong Open.
The former US Open champion, 21, had been due to make her return from injury at the WTA 250 event.
Raducanu has been out since suffering a ligament injury in her foot during her Korea Open quarter-final with Daria Kasatkina last month.
The Brit had hoped to play a full Asia swing this year, but has since been forced out of tournaments in Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo and Guangzhou.
In a statement posted on social media, she wrote: “I’m sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week.
“Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit.
“I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future.”
Raducanu then confirmed that she hopes to be fit again in time to play for Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, with GB set to face Germany in their first tie on November 15.
She added: “In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC.”
Raducanu played a heroic role in Great Britain’s qualification for the Finals.
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In April, Anne Keothavong’s side beat France 3-1 in Le Portel to book their ticket to Malaga, with Raducanu clinching two of their points with wins over Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry.
Keothavong has already named Raducanu in her squad for the Finals; alongside Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls.
Despite her injury struggles, Raducanu has managed to climb her ranking back up to No55.
And she is not the only high-profile star to have withdrawn from next week’s event in Hong Kong.
Four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka will also be out, having confirmed in a statement: “I love visiting the tournament and despite the obvious disappointment of not being able to play, I want to reassure all my wonderful Hong Kong fans that I will still be attending the event.”
Danielle Collins, who recently reversed her decision to retire at the end of the season, is set to be the top seed in Hong Kong – with Boulter and Leylah Fernandez also in the field.