Emma Raducanu is poised to make her return to the Miami Open, securing a wildcard for the latter part of the sunshine double tournament.
Raducanu faced an eight-month hiatus last season due to surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle. Consequently, the 2021 US Open champion dropped outside the top 300 in rankings. Despite a 50-place climb, she still requires a wildcard to gain entry into major tournaments.
The 21-year-old has yet to secure a victory at the WTA 1000 tournament, having been defeated by Katerina Siniakova and Bianca Andreescu in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
It remains uncertain whether Raducanu will participate in Indian Wells, although she hinted at it by sharing a photo on social media of her arrival in California.
Wildcards for the Miami Open have been granted to Venus Williams, a former champion who secured singles titles in 1998, 1999, and 2001.
Williams is also slated to participate in Indian Wells, marking her 22nd appearance at the Miami event as the 43-year-old strives to regain her form and fitness.
Additional wildcards have been extended to past finalists Kei Nishikori and Caroline Wozniacki, who were runners-up in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Wozniacki, who retired in 2020 and is now a mother of two, has been pursuing a comeback in recent months. Her return has seen some success, including reaching the fourth round of the US Open last year.
Nishikori’s recent years have been marked by limited success, as he has participated in only four tournaments over the past two years due to hip and knee injuries.
Despite this setback, the 34-year-old Japanese player seems prepared to make another attempt at the tournament where he reached the final eight years ago.