Raducanu to make Aus Open

EMMA RADUCANU is committed to playing in the Australian Open despite her withdrawal from this week’s warm-up tournament.

The Briton pulled out of the Melbourne Summer Set because she missed 10 days’ training after contracting Covid and felt she was not quite ready to compete.

The Mail on Sunday understands, however, that the US Open champion (above) will return to action in Sydney on January 10 as part of her preparations for the season’s first major, which begins on January 17.

Raducanu, who was made an MBE in the New Year’s honours list, caught Covid before Christmas, forcing her to miss an exhibition in Abu Dhabi — but she expects to be ready for Melbourne’s grand slam.

‘The timing to compete in the first Melbourne event this week is too soon for me, having just returned from isolation,’ she explained.

Meanwhile, Britain’s men begin their ATP Cup campaign in Sydney today with a tough match against Germany in the team event.