US Open champion Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from this week’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi after testing positive for Covid-19.
Organisers of the event confirmed the news on Monday evening, with the search now on for a replacement to take on Olympic champion Belinda Bencic on Thursday - the tournament's opening day .
Raducanu, who was set to debut in Abu Dhabi , said in the statement: “After testing positive for Covid-19, I will have to postpone until the next opportunity to play in front of the fans here, which I was very much looking forward to. I’m isolating as per rules and hopefully will be able to get back on court soon.”
In the same statement, organisers added: “Emma is now isolating and following all necessary protocols. We wish her a quick recovery and hope to see her back on the court soon. We are looking at alternative top female competitors to go head-to-head with Belinda Bencic; further updates will be provided in due course.”
Raducanu, 19, was scheduled to face fellow debutant Bencic in a match to close out Day 1 of the three-day event, which concludes on Saturday. The Brit rose to prominence earlier this year, first by reaching the second week at Wimbledon as a wild card.
In September, Raducanu won the US Open to become the first qualifier to capture a Grand Slam in the open era, defeating Bencic in the quarter-finals. Bencic, meanwhile, took home the women’s singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer.
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship, now in its 13th edition, was to feature eight of the world’s most prominent players – six male and two female. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are two of the stars competing this week at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
Winner of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2019 Rafael Nadal, right, with runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rafael Nadal celebrates with the MWTC trophy following his 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Abu Dhabi final.
Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Stefanos Tsitsipas following his 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 victory at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City.
Rafael Nadal celebrates.
Rafael Nadal waits for the trophy presentation.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final against Stefanos Tsitsipas. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
Stefanos Tsitsipas towels himself off during the final.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: Jon Turner: Fans with giant rackets during the final between Rafael Nadal v Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Saturday, December 21st, 2019. Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rafael Nadal plays a shot.
A Stefanos Tsitsipas fan clutches the Greek flag during the final against Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal in action.
Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a shot to Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal walks back to the base line.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in action.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot.
Stefanos Tsitsipas stretches at the net to return a shot.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot.
Fans celebrate during the MWTC final at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
Stefanos Tsitsipas serves during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final against Rafael Nadal. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rafael Nadal serves to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Stefanos Tsitsipas towels himself down in between points.
Rafael Nadal in action.
Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a shot to Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot during the final.
Stefanos Tsitsipas serves during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final against Rafael Nadal. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rafael Nadal plays a shot to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Fans watch the final between Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot.
Stefanos Tsitsipas returns a shot to Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal plays a shot to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Stefanos Tsitsipas plays a shot.
Novak Djokovic in between points during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship third-place play-off against Karen Khachanov at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. Djokovic won the match 7-5, 6-3. All photos by Chris Whiteoak
Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the third place play-off.
Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the third place play-off.
Novak Djokovic prepares to return a serve.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot to Karen Khachanov.
Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov embrace at the end of the match.
Fans watch the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot.
Fans watch the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov.
Novak Djokovic in between games during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship third-place play-off against Karen Khachanov at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. Djokovic won the match 7-5, 6-3. All photos by Chris Whiteoak
Karen Khachanov plays a shot during the third place play-off against Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot.
The sun sets during the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot.
General view of the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot to Karen Khachanov during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship third-place play-off at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Chris Whiteoak
Karen Khachanov serves to Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot to Karen Khachanov.
A young girl sits on a tennis hammock at The National newspaper's booth at Zayed Sports City.
Karen Khachanov plays a shot.
Tennis fans arrive at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed SPorts City in Abu Dhabi.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot.
Fans watch the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
Karen Khachanov during the third place play-off against Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot.
Tennis fans arrive at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed SPorts City in Abu Dhabi.
A female tennis fan tosses a ball up on the lawn before the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov.
A young girl sits on a tennis hammock at The National newspaper's booth at Zayed Sports City.
Tennis fans arrive at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed SPorts City in Abu Dhabi.
Fans watch the third place play-off between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
Updated: December 13, 2021, 2:36 PM