Fans are upset by Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the Australian Open exhibition. Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osakaa have each appeared in a single 2024 event thus far. As a wildcard entry at the WTA 500 Brisbane International, Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam winner, competed.
Raducanu, on the other hand, decided to play in the WTA 250 ASB Classic after accepting the wildcard. Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka are currently preparing for the Australian Open.
The sudden cancellation of a charity match that was initially scheduled to include Naomi Osaka. Emma Raducanu at the 2024 Australian Open infuriated several tennis fans.
Fans are upset by Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal
Currently, Osaka and Raducanu are making a comeback following hiatuses due to injuries and maternity leave, respectively. On Tuesday, January 9, they were scheduled to play a charity match at the Rod Laver Arena in advance of the first Major of the season.
But Naomi Osaka’s substitute, Donna Vekic of Croatia, was announced mere hours before the event. The announcement was made following the Japanese decision to forego participating in the match as a “precaution for her upcoming campaign” at the Major.
Emma Raducanu quickly did the same and left the altercation. She reportedly gave the excuse that she was “sore” following a two-hour night session the previous day.
The Australian Open called off the competition in its entirety following the withdrawal of the US Open winner from 2021. The apparent “unprofessionalism” shown by Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, and the organizers disappointed several tennis fans.
“This is unprofessional—people traveled from across the nation for this,” It seems like nobody cares about charity, even wealthy tennis professionals,” a fan commented.
A lot of people also stated that they had left for Melbourne Park previously and had not heard from the organizers in a timely manner.
Moreover, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari, Casper Ruud, and Novak Djokovic are scheduled to participate in the four-day charity tournament. On Wednesday, January 10, Carlos Alcaraz and fan favorite Alex de Minaur are expected to square off.
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