British tennis hopes at the Australian Open rest firmly with Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Jack Draper as the first Grand Slam of 2025 approaches in Melbourne.
Former US Open champion Raducanu returns to action following recent back problems, whilst British No 1 Boulter enters the tournament as a seeded player after her impressive rise to world No 23.
Draper, fresh from his breakthrough US Open semi-final appearance last year, looks to overcome hip injury concerns that disrupted his preparations.
The British contingent includes rising stars Sonay Kartal and Jacob Fearnley, alongside experienced campaigner Jodie Burrage, who enters on a protected ranking after an injury-hit 2024.
Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu are Britain’s hot hopes at the Australian Open
PA
Raducanu’s return to Melbourne Park comes amidst ongoing physical challenges, with the 22-year-old having withdrawn from the ASB Classic in Auckland last week due to back problems.
The former US Open champion has shown positive signs of recovery during practice sessions at Melbourne Park, where she faces a stern first-round test against world No 27 Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Her preparation has been bolstered by the addition of renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura to her team, working alongside Nick Cavaday.
“I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis,” said Raducanu, who aims to fulfil what she describes as an untapped athletic potential.
Despite being short of match practice, Raducanu will look to improve upon her second-round appearances in Melbourne over the past three seasons.
Katie Boulter enters the Australian Open at her career-high ranking of world No 23, having secured two WTA titles in 2024 at San Diego and Nottingham.
The British No 1 has been drawn against Canadian veteran Rebecca Marino, whom she leads 2-0 in their head-to-head encounters.
Her seeded status ensures protection from facing other seeds until at least the third round, boosting her chances of surpassing her previous Grand Slam best.
Boulter, who recently announced her engagement to Australia’s world No 8 Alex de Minaur, demonstrated her potential with a near-upset against world No 1 Iga Swiatek at the United Cup.
The 28-year-old’s powerful first-strike game and improving all-round abilities make her a genuine threat in Melbourne.
JUST IN:Coleen Rooney slams ‘not fair’ backlash after having windows smashed because of Wayne – ‘Tough’
Jack Draper’s Australian Open campaign hangs in the balance following a hip injury that forced his withdrawal from the United Cup team competition.
The British No 1, who reached world top 20 after his impressive US Open semi-final run, faces Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round.
Draper’s preparation has been less than ideal, having pulled out of a pre-season training camp with Carlos Alcaraz.
The 23-year-old hasn’t competed since the Paris Masters in October, adding uncertainty to his Melbourne prospects.
Should Draper overcome his injury concerns and advance, he could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round, setting up a rematch with his intended training partner.
Emma Raducanu is desperate to put her injury troubles behind
Reuters
Brighton’s Sonay Kartal makes her Australian Open main draw debut after claiming her first WTA title in Monastir late last year.
The 23-year-old, who soared into the top 100 in 2024, faces Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the opening round.
Victory would set up a daunting clash with either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or former US Open winner Sloane Stephens.
Rising star Jacob Fearnley, who has climbed from world No 646 to No 86 in just twelve months, faces home favourite Nick Kyrgios.
The British No 3 earned his spot through direct entry after winning four Challenger titles in 2024, including a breakthrough victory in Nottingham.
Fearnley’s meteoric rise also earned him selection for Britain’s upcoming Davis Cup tie against Japan.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Cameron Norrie has a tough draw at the Australian Open
PA
Jodie Burrage enters the main draw on a protected ranking following an injury-plagued 2024 that saw her sidelined between February and September with wrist and ankle issues.
The Brit comes into Melbourne in strong form after claiming her biggest title at the W100 Dubai, and faces French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in the first round.
Cameron Norrie faces one of the toughest opening assignments against former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
The Italian, who reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2022, holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over Norrie from their 2021 Queen’s Club meeting.
Norrie aims to rediscover the form that took him to the fourth round in Melbourne last year.
British hopes in qualifying suffered setbacks as Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, Francesca Jones and Lily Miyazaki failed to progress through the women’s singles qualifying draw.
Jack Draper might be Britain’s best hope in the men’s singles
PA
In the men’s qualifying, former top-25 player Dan Evans, alongside Billy Harris, Jan Choinski and Paul Jubb, were also unable to secure main draw spots.
Despite these disappointments, Britain fields a strong contingent of seven players in the main draw, led by seeded star Katie Boulter.
With Raducanu showing signs of recovery, Draper battling through injury concerns, and emerging talents like Kartal and Fearnley ready to make their mark, British tennis enters the first Grand Slam of 2025 with cautious optimism.