Where Will Emma Raducanu Play Next After Missing Out at the Australian Open?

Emma Raducanu’s absence from the Australian Open left fans with one big question: what’s next for the former US Open champion? After struggling with injuries and inconsistent form over the past year, Raducanu’s schedule has become one of the most closely watched storylines in women’s tennis. Missing out on Melbourne was a setback, but it may also be a chance for a strategic reset.

Raducanu has been rebuilding both physically and mentally after a difficult 2024 season that saw her battle fitness issues and search for rhythm on tour. Skipping the Australian Open allows her to avoid rushing back too soon and instead focus on long-term health. For a player still just in her early 20s, protecting her body could prove far more valuable than chasing points in January.

So where could she return? The most likely next step is the Middle East swing in February, which includes tournaments in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai. These events offer strong competition, fast hard courts, and big ranking opportunities. Raducanu has enjoyed success on hard courts before, and the conditions suit her flat, aggressive hitting style.

Another option is the North American hard-court circuit later in the spring, but that might be too far away if she’s ready sooner. More realistically, Raducanu could target smaller WTA events first—250 or 500-level tournaments—to rebuild confidence and match sharpness without the pressure of a Grand Slam spotlight.

There’s also the possibility of a brief stop on the European indoor circuit if she wants controlled conditions to ease her way back into competition. With a new coaching setup rumored to be in the works, her team may prioritize consistency and development over chasing big stages immediately.

What’s clear is that Raducanu’s next appearance will be about more than just wins and losses. It will be about proving to herself—and to the tennis world—that she can stay healthy, compete regularly, and begin the long road back toward the elite level she once reached.

Missing the Australian Open hurts, but it doesn’t define her season. Emma Raducanu’s story has always been about resilience. Wherever she plays next, it won’t just be a comeback—it will be the start of another chapter in one of tennis’s most fascinating careers.