Emma Raducanu Receives Dubai Wildcard Amid Struggles in Middle East Swing
Emma Raducanu will have one more opportunity to turn her fortunes around in the Middle East after receiving a main draw wildcard for the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai.
The Briton started her 2025 season with back-to-back wins but suffered a crushing 1-6, 0-6 third-round defeat to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. Since then, she has competed in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha—each time as a wildcard—but has struggled to find her rhythm.
Currently on a four-match losing streak, Raducanu’s most recent setback came in Doha, where she fell to Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 7-5 in the first round. Despite her recent form, Dubai organizers have granted her a wildcard entry, allowing her to make her main draw debut at the event.
Raducanu to Reunite with Childhood Coach in Dubai
In Dubai, Raducanu will be accompanied by Jane O’Donoghue, a former LTA coach who has mentored her over the years. This comes after Raducanu split with Nick Cavaday following the Australian Open.
Although O’Donoghue has never been Raducanu’s official coach, she has played an influential role in her development. Meanwhile, the 2021 US Open champion recently stated that she is in no rush to appoint a new full-time coach.
“I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away—because I want to make sure it’s the right fit,” Raducanu said earlier this month in Abu Dhabi.
“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions. So yeah, I’m just taking it, using the next couple of weeks to see how I feel, and then make a decision.”
