Top 10 WTA pro to replace Emma Raducanu at Abu Dhabi exhibition event

Emma Raducanu had to miss the Mubadala World Tennis Championship after testing positive for Covid as a top WTA pro now takes her place.

The US Open champion was set to take on Olympic singles gold medallist Belinda Bencic in the women’s match of the event scheduled for 16th December.

Now, WTA breakthrough talent and world number 10 Ons Jabeur will replace Raducanu in that match.

The Arab player has achieved a myriad of first on the WTA tour this year, including being the first Arab woman to win a WTA tour title, doing so on the grass in Birmingham, UK.

Perhaps most significantly, she was also the first Arab player ever to break into the top 10 of either the WTA or ATP tours.

“I am proud and honoured to be the first Arab woman to play the Mubadala World Tennis Championships,” Jabeur said in a statement following the announcement.

“2021 has been a terrific year and I know that the Championship is the best start to an exciting 2022 season.

“Abu Dhabi is a major sports destination and has always felt special to me. Every time I come, I am grateful and amazed by the incredible welcome and support of the people.”

Jabeur equalled her best ever Slam result this year by reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old achieved the same feat at the 2020 Australian Open before losing to eventual champion Sofia Kenin.

The Tunisian will be hoping to produce a similar result come the 2022 Australian open commencing on 17th January to get her new season up and running.

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