Emma Raducanu is gearing up for a busy end to 2024 as her post-US Open schedule comes into focus, with tournaments in Seoul, Beijing, and Hong Kong on her agenda. Following her first-round exit at the US Open, where she was defeated by Sofia Kenin, the 21-year-old, currently ranked No. 72 in the WTA rankings, is set to return to the court this month and could have a packed schedule for the remainder of the tennis season. With no ranking points to defend for the rest of the year, Raducanu has the opportunity to rise in the rankings if she performs well.
Raducanu’s summer ended on a disappointing note as she was unable to secure a win at the US Open since her surprising victory as a qualifier in 2021. Having entered the tournament without any matches in the four weeks leading up to it, she expressed regret, noting that she would have preferred more match play beforehand. She also mentioned that she might consider adjusting her schedule in the future to better prepare for key tournaments.
Raducanu is set to make her comeback at the WTA 500 Korea Open in Seoul, starting on September 16, where she previously reached the semi-finals in 2022. She will be joined by top players such as world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina. Following this, Raducanu is expected to compete at the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing from September 25 to October 6. She might also participate in the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, starting on October 7, or alternatively, she is entered to play in the Hong Kong Open from October 28, which could mark the end of her 2024 season before she shifts focus to the Australian tournaments in early 2025.
Reflecting on her recent performance, Raducanu indicated that she plans to go back to training, analyze her game, and work on improvements for the remainder of the season. Despite the challenges she faced, she believes that a strong finish to the year could potentially boost her ranking into the top 50.
