British tennis star Emma Raducanu is set for her first WTA Tour match of 2026 this Tuesday, facing a unique challenge at the Hobart International. Her opponent, Colombia's Camila Osorio, brings a fascinating sporting pedigree rooted not in tennis, but in football.
A Family Steeped in Sporting History
The 24-year-old Osorio, currently ranked world number 85, comes from a family where athletic excellence is a tradition. Her grandfather, Rolando Serrano, was a Colombian international footballer who competed in the 1962 FIFA World Cup and the 1960 European Championships.
The footballing lineage doesn't stop there. Osorio's father, Carlos, played professionally for Deportes Quindio in Colombia's domestic league. Furthermore, her brother, Sebastian, has also pursued a career in the sport, turning out for Fortaleza CEIF in the country's Primera B division.
Osorio's passion for the beautiful game is so profound that she has reportedly named her two pet dogs after modern football icons: Messi and Neymar. While her mother did not play football, she maintained the family's high-achieving sporting spirit through a career in basketball.
Osorio: A Formidable Talent on Court
Despite her football heritage, Camila Osorio has forged an impressive path in tennis. She reached the world number one spot in the ITF Junior rankings and clinched the US Open girls' singles title in 2019. This pedigree ensures she will be a significant test for Raducanu in their opening-round encounter.
For Raducanu, the match marks another step in her comeback journey. The British number one recently returned to competitive play at the United Cup in Perth, representing Team GB against Greece. This followed an injury that curtailed her 2025 season in October.
Raducanu's Focus on Building Momentum
Reflecting on her three-set loss to Maria Sakkari at the United Cup, Raducanu acknowledged the physical toll but took positives from her performance. "I am pretty happy with how I was able to play a match of three sets," she stated. "Considering I played five or six games in practice, it's a big effort for me."
She admitted the transition back to match play felt unfamiliar at first but expressed confidence that more court time would yield improvement. Her immediate focus is on preparation for the Australian Open, which begins on January 18 in Melbourne.
However, the 2021 US Open champion is careful not to heap undue pressure on herself so early in the season. "The season is still very, very young. Week one. There's a long way to go," Raducanu added, emphasising a day-by-day approach to her fitness and form.
All eyes will now be on Hobart as Raducanu aims to build rhythm against an opponent whose own story is intertwined with a rich, global sporting legacy.
