Advertisement

Emma Raducanu reveals she will skip Kremlin Cup after ‘schedule change’

  • US Open champion will still play Transylvania Open in Romania, and Linz Open in Austria, before the season ends
  • Raducanu tells fans she hopes to play in Russia next year, as Maria Sharapova’s former mentor warns coaches may steer clear of British teenager

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
British tennis player Emma Raducanu returns a shot to Belarus' Alaksandra Sasnovich during the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament at Indian Wells. Photo: DPA

US Open women’s singles champion Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Kremlin Cup in Russia later this month citing a “tournament schedule change”.

Advertisement

World No 22 Raducanu made her much-anticipated return to the court at Indian Wells last week but lost in the second round to Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The British 18-year-old had been handed a wild card to Indian Wells and then received a bye into the second round as one of the seeds before losing to Sasnovich 27 days on from making history in New York.

“I look forward to returning to the Tour in the next couple of weeks,” Raducanu said in a statement on pulling out of the Moscow event.

Emma Raducanu hits a backhand against Leylah Fernandez in the women's singles final at the 2021 US Open. Photo: USA Today
Emma Raducanu hits a backhand against Leylah Fernandez in the women's singles final at the 2021 US Open. Photo: USA Today
Advertisement

“Unfortunately I‘ve had to make a tournament schedule change and won’t be able to play Moscow this year but I hope to compete there and in front of the Russian fans next year.”

Advertisement