ABU DHABI (AFP) — U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu tested positive for Covid-19 and pulled out of an exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates.
Organizers of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship announced Raducanu’s withdrawal, saying the British teenager is isolating and following protocols.
A replacement for Raducanu is being sought to fill in and play Belinda Bencic in Abu Dhabi.
Raducanu won the U.S. Open in September to become the first qualifier to claim a Grand Slam singles title. Ranked just 150th at the time and winning 10 consecutive matches in straight sets, she became at age 18 the youngest female winner of a major championship since Maria Sharapova was 17 at Wimbledon in 2004.
Raducanu recently was voted the WTA Newcomer of the Year.