US Open champion Emma Raducanu 'can't wait' to start season in Abu Dhabi


Steve Luckings
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US Open champion Emma Raducanu says she "can't wait" to start her preparations for next year at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

The Briton, 18, shocked the world at last month's US Open, beating Leylah Fernandez to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the open era.

"What a year it's been," the British No 1 said in a video message, saying she was looking forward to kickstarting 2022 in the capital.

Organisers confirmed last week that Raducanu will play the exhibition tournament at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City from December 16-18. Her opponent is Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

Alongside the women's match will be the six-player men's tournament. Spanish 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is the defending champion having defeated Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2019 final.

Tickets, starting from Dh100 for adults and Dh50 for children, are available from ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE.

  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada to win the 2021 women's US Open. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada to win the 2021 women's US Open. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu, of Britain, poses outside Arthur Ashe Stadium with the championship trophy. AP Photo
    Emma Raducanu, of Britain, poses outside Arthur Ashe Stadium with the championship trophy. AP Photo
  • Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning a point against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters
    Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning a point against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters
  • Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
    Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. Getty Images
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. Getty Images
  • Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada celebrates with the runner-up trophy. AFP
    Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada celebrates with the runner-up trophy. AFP
  • The bloodied knee of Britain's Emma Raducanu is seen as she celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
    The bloodied knee of Britain's Emma Raducanu is seen as she celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
  • Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
    Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
  • Britain's Emma Raducanu hugs Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
    Britain's Emma Raducanu hugs Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy and ball kids after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy and ball kids after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
  • Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Billie Jean King, Stacey Allaster, USTA Chief Executive, and USTA President Mike McNulty. AFP
    Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Billie Jean King, Stacey Allaster, USTA Chief Executive, and USTA President Mike McNulty. AFP
  • Fans watch British teenager Emma Raducanu compete with Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final at The Parklangley Club, in Beckenham, England. AP
    Fans watch British teenager Emma Raducanu compete with Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final at The Parklangley Club, in Beckenham, England. AP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
  • Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy. AFP
    Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrate. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrate. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain returns the ball against Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain returns the ball against Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
  • Suzanne Williams, Strength and Conditioning coach for Emma Raducanu aged 8-12, watches the US Open tennis match remotely at the Parklangley Club in Beckenham, England, as she celebrates Raducanu winning. PA
    Suzanne Williams, Strength and Conditioning coach for Emma Raducanu aged 8-12, watches the US Open tennis match remotely at the Parklangley Club in Beckenham, England, as she celebrates Raducanu winning. PA
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning championship point to defeat Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning championship point to defeat Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP
  • Leylah Fernandez of Canada hits a backhand against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters
    Leylah Fernandez of Canada hits a backhand against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with fans. EPA
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with fans. EPA
  • Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy. AFP
    Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy. AFP
  • Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after defeating Lelyah Fernandez of Canada to win the US Open final. EPA
    Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after defeating Lelyah Fernandez of Canada to win the US Open final. EPA
Updated: October 18, 2021, 10:57 AM