US Open champion Emma Raducanu has not had the best of starts to 2022 as she withdrew from this week's Australian Open warm-up tournament in Melbourne as she has only recently come out of isolation following a positive Covid-19 result.
Raducanu shot to fame after becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam when she triumphed at Flushing Meadows in September. However, the year ended in disappointment as she pulled out of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi last month after contracting the virus.
The 19-year-old was scheduled to play in the 'Melbourne Summer Set' from January 4-9 as part of her preparations for her debut in the Australian Open.
But Raducanu said the warm-up event had come too soon.
"The timing to compete in the first Melbourne event this week is too soon for me, having just returned from isolation," Raducanu told the tournament organisers.
The world No 19 is scheduled to compete at the Sydney Classic later this month before making her debut in the Australian Open, which runs from January 17-30.
It was not the start to the new year the teenager had hoped for, having enjoyed a remarkable 2021. She was honored by Queen Elizabeth in the annual New Year’s Honours list on Friday following the her breakthrough year.
Raducanu was made an MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire - by the Queen. It caps a remarkable year for Raducanu, whose US Open win catapulted her to stardom in Britain. She was also named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2021 having become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Meanwhile, world No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out of his ATP Cup opener against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in Sydney on Saturday due to a right elbow issue.
Tsitsipas was forced to retire from the second round of the Paris Masters and lost his opening match against Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals in November before withdrawing from the season-ending tournament due to the injury.
But Tsitsipas played down concerns that the issue would derail his Australian Open campaign.
"The recovery from my elbow surgery in November is on track for Melbourne and today was a precautionary step to make sure I make [it to] Melbourne," Tsitsipas said.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 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 -
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 -
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 -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrate. 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 -
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 -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with fans. EPA -
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
