Emma Raducanu’s Indian Wells main draw wildcard has been confirmed as the 21-year-old is for her fourth appearance in the desert.
After losing in the Doha first round in mid-February, Raducanu decided to return home and do some work on the practice court. Although Raducanu’s Indian Wells wildcard wasn’t confirmed at the time, the general expectation was that the Briton would be granted one and return to action in the desert.
Last year, Raducanu made a solid Indian Wells return as she won her opening three matches before losing 3-6 1-6 to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. In her first two appearances, Raducanu had a first-round showing in her Indian Wells debut in 2021 and also lost in the Indian Wells third round the following year.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finneyž
Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki & Paula Badosa join Raducanu in WC
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion who hasn’t played since the US Open due to a knee injury, is set to kick off her comeback after also receiving an Indian Wells wildcard.
When 43-year-old Williams steps on the court in Indian Wells, she will be making her first appearance in the desert since 2019. In the past, former world No. 1 Williams made three semifinals in Indian Wells.
Meanwhile, 2018 Australian Open champion Wozniacki and former world No. 2 Badosa have also received a main draw wildcard into the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.
Caroline Wozniacki© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Wozniacki, who ended her retirement last August after being out of tennis for three and a half years, is now returning to Indian Wells for the first time since 2019. Early in her career, Wozniacki – now 33 – enjoyed some great runs in Indian Wells as she won the title in 2011 while she ended as runner-up in 2010 and 2013.
The Indian Wells wildcard recipients list also includes Badosa, who lifted her first WTA 1000 title in Indian Wells in 2021.
Paula Badosa© Getty Images Sport – Sean M. Haffey
For 26-year-old Badosa – who was also a semifinalist in Indian Wells in 2022 – this will be her fourth Indian Wells main draw appearance.
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