EMMA RADUCANU could play her US Open Final rival for the first time in nearly five years as she makes her return to professional tennis.
Britain’s highest–profile female star will be involved in the field for the Internationaux de Strasbourg, which starts on Monday.
This is a warm-up tournament for the French Open – which begins on Sunday May 24 – and it is the clearest indication yet that Raducanu will be fit for the Paris Slam.
However, in an event with just 28 players, there is the prospect of her playing Leylah Fernandez, the adversary that she beat in the New York major in September 2021.
That stunning 6-4 6-3 victory, watched by millions back home in the UK, has gone down in tennis folklore, given that Raducanu won the £1.8million Slam as a qualifier and on her debut appearance.
The pair have not met since then but there is the chance of it happening as they have both signed up to this WTA 500 on clay.
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In a statement, Strasbourg officials said on social media: “Welcome back, Emma.
“The 2021 US Open champion will be back on the clay courts in Strasbourg.
“The first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, Emma made history in New York in 2021. Can’t wait to see her back on the courts.”
Last week, Raducanu pulled out of the Italian Open at short notice as she continued to struggle with issues connected to a post-viral illness.
Though she was on site in Rome – she had done several intense practice sessions and even spoke to reporters – the world No30 decided at the last minute that she was not fit enough to compete in the historic Italian capital.
The 23-year-old has not played since getting thrashed 6-1 6-1 by American Amanda Anisimova on March 8 at the Indian Wells Open.
She withdrew from tournaments such as the Miami and Madrid Opens.
Though she may miss out on being one of the top 32 seeds at Roland Garros, her decision to play in Strasbourg is a sign she is on the mend physically.
The Internationaux de Strasbourg, which began in 1987, celebrates its 40th edition next week and has a players’ prize pool of £890,000.
The field will include American Madison Keys, Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko and Greek Maria Sakkari, whom Raducanu beat in the US Open semi-finals in 2021.
The final takes place on Saturday May 23, which means a quick turnaround for the two finalists for the second major of the calendar year in the French capital.
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