Emma Raducanu enjoyed a restorative 2025, during which she regained her status as British No. 1.
After years of injury struggle, the 2021 US Open champion returned to the world top 30 and will be seeded for the first grand slam of the year.
However, Raducanu has endured a tough start to 2026. After entering the Hobart International as the top seed, the 23-year-old lost in straight sets to world No. 204 Taylah Preston as she held only three service games.
With the 2026 Australian Open underway, here's all you need to know about Raducanu and the first major of the season.
MORE: Australian Open seeds: Men's and women's seeded singles players for AO 2026
Is Emma Raducanu playing at the Australian Open?
Raducanu is playing at the 2026 Australian Open and is the 28th seed.
All eyes will be on how the Briton's infamously vulnerable fitness holds up. Prior to the tournament, she had only played three matches since mid-October after cutting her 2025 season short to address illness and injury concerns.
Emma Raducanu next match at Australian Open 2026
Raducanu beat Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in straight sets in the first round in Melbourne.
She will now face Anastasia Potapova in round two before a potential third-round showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Emma Raducanu record at the Australian Open
After three successive second-round exits, Raducanu compiled her best run in Melbourne in 2025, when she reached the third round.
Unseeded for the draw, Raducanu beat 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 7-6 before overcoming Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. Anisimova went on to reach the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025.
Raducanu faced Anisimova's Wimbledon conqueror Iga Swiatek and was soundly beaten 6-1 6-0.