Emma Raducanu forced to miss Abu Dhabi exhibition event

Fans were set to see Emma Raducanu play one last time in 2021 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, but the Brit has had to withdraw.

The US Open champion was lined up to play Olympic singles gold medallist Belinda Bencic on 16th December in Abu Dhabi.

However, Raducanu has now gone into self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 in the UAE.

“I was very much looking forward to playing in front of the fans here in Abu Dhabi,” Raducanu said.

“But unfortunately after testing positive for Covid-19, I will have to postpone until the next opportunity.

“I’m isolating as per rules and hopefully will be able to get back on court soon.”

Tournament organisers added this statement: “Emma is now isolating and following all necessary protocols. We wish her a quick recovery and hope to see her back on the court soon.”

The Abu Dhabi exhibition event was to be the second of two post-season events attended by the Brit, the first being at the Champions Tennis event at Royal Albert Hall in London in late November.

There Raducanu played Romanian world number 85 Elena-Gabriela Ruse in a best of three sets exhibition match.

Fans will now have to wait until early January for a chance to watch the 19-year-old superstar in action.

She will get her 2022 season underway at the Melbourne Summer Set in one of two WTA 250 tournaments beginning 3rd January.

The news also means that Raducanu will still be in self-isolation when the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards take place on Sunday evening, for which she is nominated and is one of the favourites.

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