Emma Raducanu confirms attendance at WTA event which she has never played in before

Emma Raducanu is set to break new ground on the WTA Tour after confirming she will compete in a tournament she has never entered before. The 2021 US Open champion, who has been steadily building her match fitness following a series of injury setbacks, will add the event to her 2025 schedule as she continues her push to climb back up the rankings.

Raducanu’s decision to enter the tournament marks a fresh challenge in her season, offering both a change of scenery and an opportunity to test herself against a different field of opponents. The 22-year-old has been carefully planning her schedule to balance match play with recovery, and this newly added event fits into her strategy of gaining momentum ahead of the season’s bigger competitions.

“I’m really looking forward to playing here for the first time,” Raducanu said in a statement released by the tournament organizers. “It’s always exciting to experience a new city, new fans, and a different atmosphere on tour. I’ve heard great things about the event and I’m eager to see it for myself.”

Since her breakthrough at Flushing Meadows in 2021, Raducanu’s career has been marked by both dazzling moments and frustrating injury breaks. Wrist and ankle issues sidelined her for much of 2023 and early 2024, but in recent months she has returned to the court with improved fitness and a clearer sense of her game. The addition of this event to her schedule signals her readiness to embrace fresh opportunities and build competitive rhythm.

While the specific draw for the tournament is yet to be finalized, Raducanu is expected to face stiff competition from a mix of top-ranked stars and in-form challengers. Her participation is likely to boost local ticket sales, with fans eager to see the British star in action for the first time on their home courts.

Raducanu’s coaching team has been vocal about using a variety of tournaments to help her adapt to different playing conditions — a move they believe will sharpen her all-court game. Depending on her progress at the event, she could carry valuable match practice into upcoming high-profile tournaments, including the US Open Series and the Asian swing later in the year.

For Raducanu, stepping into a new tournament is more than just about ranking points; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with fans, gain confidence, and build the consistency that has sometimes eluded her since her Grand Slam triumph. If she can replicate her best tennis, this debut appearance could be the start of another memorable chapter in her career.