Raducanu lost to Iga Swiatek, 1-6, 0-6, in the Australian Open third round, having taken down Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova in rounds one and two.

Raducanu then traveled to Singapore, where she took on Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the first round, coming up short, 7-5, 5-7, 5-7.

Looking to bounce back, the 2021 US Open champion headed to the Middle East for the Abu Dhabi Open, where she was handed a main draw Wild Card.

The 22-year-old fell at the first hurdle once more, as Raducanu lost to Marketa Vondrousova, 3-6, 4-6.

After two tough defeats, Raducanu’s next tournament has been confirmed, as she has been given another golden opportunity.

Emma Raducanu handed a main draw Wild Card for the Doha WTA 1000 event in Qatar

It was announced on X earlier on Thursday that Raducanu had accepted a main draw Wild Card to the Qatar Open.

Ranked 56th in the world, she didn’t gain direct entry into the event, with many players ranked close to her competing in the qualifying tournament this week.

Raducanu hasn’t played a qualifying event since winning the US Open four years ago, although she was set to do so in Abu Dhabi before her qualifying Wild Card was upgraded thanks to some late withdrawals.

The British star lost in the first round of the Qatar Open last year to Ukrainian star, Anhelina Kalinina, 0-6, 6-7.

She will no doubt be hoping to do one better when she takes on the WTA Tour’s top stars in Doha.

Madison Keys and Danielle Collins are the two biggest names to have withdrawn from the Qatar Open, as the top ten look set to make waves in the year’s first WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek beat Elena Rybakina in last year’s final, 7-6, 6-2, to claim her seventh WTA 1000 crown.

Karolina Muchova withdraws from the Qatar Open due to injury

One star that won’t be competing in Doha, is 2023 French Open finalist, Karolina Muchova.

The Czech 28-year-old has withdrawn from Doha as she recovers from a leg injury, having played last week at the Linz Open in Austria.

Muchova lost in the Linz semi-finals to eventual champion Alexandrova in straight sets, 0-6, 4-6.

The Czech star has struggled with injury throughout her career, but found form during the latter stages of 2024, leading many to tip her for big things this year.

• 2024 US Open – Lost in SF to Jessica Pegula
• 2024 China Open – Lost in F to Coco Gauff
• 2024 Ningbo Open – Lost in SF to Mirra Andreeva

Andy Roddick picked Muchova as a potential 2025 Major winner, during his pre-season predictions, claiming she is an ‘amazing player’.

“The only thing separating her from the top five is health and she can bother everyone,” he said.

“She would be on my top five list of people who could win a Slam next year, she could win a Major.”

2025 hasn’t quite gone to plan so far, however, as Muchova lost to Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Australian Open.

The world number 17, will now likely return at the Dubai WTA 1000 event, which begins on February 17.

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