Emma Raducanu faces another anxious wait as Andy Murray retirement plan back on track

Emma Raducanu faces another anxious wait as Andy Murray retirement plan back on track

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 17/04/2024

- 12:39

There's just a few weeks until the French Open gets underway at the end of May.

Emma Raducanu is currently not included on the entry list for the French Open but Andy Murray's hopes of playing Roland Garros one last time before he retires appear back on track after his injury setback.

Murray ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami Open last month that threatened to derail what looks increasingly likely to be his final year on tour.


The three-time major champion has repeatedly suggested this summer could be his last before retiring and stated he would like to play the French Open one final time.

He hasn't played at Roland Garros since 2020, where he lost in the first round to Stan Wawrinka.

His injury in Miami looked set to rule Murray out of potentially playing the French Open.

Emma Raducanu is not on the entry list for the French Open

Emma Raducanu is not on the entry list for the French Open

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But he was given some good news this week when it became clear he wouldn't require surgery and he'd be returning to the court soon.

"Latest update from Andy is that he is now out of the walking boot and will not be having surgery on his ankle," a spokesperson for Murray said.

"His rehab is going well and he is hoping to start hitting again on court soon. As yet he doesn't have a date yet for returning to competition."

But it appears as though Murray is doing what he can to get in shape for the start of the French Open next month.

The second major of the year starts on May 26 with the Madrid and Italian Open seen as ideal warm-up events for the French Open.

However, Raducanu will have an anxious wait to see whether she makes the main draw or not.

The 2021 US Open champion currently needs to go through qualifying or rely on a wildcard invitation.

Her protected ranking is 103, meaning she's reliant on five players above her withdrawing from the event to avoid the possibility of going through qualifiers.

Raducanu faced the same situation at the Australian Open earlier this year as she previously looked set to go through qualifying.

But an injury to Lauren Davis just days before the tournament got started meant Raducanu was bumped up into the main draw.

Andy Murray could potentially play the French Open

Andy Murray could potentially play the French Open

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The former British No 1 has dropped down to 303rd in the world after an injury-ravaged start to her WTA Tour career.

Raducanu was in action for Great Britain last week as she helped them reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a 3-1 win over France.

The British starlet completed a stunning comeback win over Caroline Garcia to seal Anne Keothavong's side's spot in the Finals.

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Emma Raducanu helped Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals

Emma Raducanu helped Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals

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"Tennis-wise I have improved because I feel like I am playing the best tennis of my career and my life," Raducanu told the BBC.

"And emotionally, mentally, for me to come through the moments that I did the last few days, it took a lot of strong character, especially when the entire stadium is pretty much against you. I can just take a lot of positivity and I really enjoyed this week.

"To come through the moments that I did the last two days it took a strong character when the whole stadium is pretty much against you."

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