British tennis star Emma Raducanu has openly criticised the scheduling of the Australian Open, labelling it "very difficult" as she faces a rushed start to the tournament while managing an injury.
A Rushed Arrival in Melbourne
The 2021 US Open champion arrived in Melbourne only on Friday, 17th January 2026, following a deep run at the Hobart International where she reached the quarter-finals. This has left her with minimal time to prepare, as she is slated to play her first-round match on Sunday.
Raducanu's situation is compounded by a pre-season foot injury that significantly limited her training, forcing her to temper her expectations for the Grand Slam event. The condensed timeline has disrupted her usual preparation routine for a major tournament.
Late-Night Match Adds to the Challenge
Adding to her frustration is the specific timing of her opening match. Raducanu has been allocated the second night session slot on Margaret Court Arena, which means her match will follow a men's contest.
This scheduling decision raises the prospect of a very late start time, potentially pushing her match deep into the evening and disrupting her recovery and sleep patterns between rounds.
A Dangerous Opponent Awaits
Despite the off-court challenges, Raducanu remains focused on the task at hand. Her first opponent is Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is ranked 195th in the world and is making her Grand Slam debut.
Raducanu has refused to take the match lightly, acknowledging Sawangkaew as a "dangerous opponent" capable of causing an upset, especially given the Briton's own compromised preparation.
The British number one now faces the dual challenge of overcoming a tricky opponent while adapting to a demanding schedule, all under the physical cloud of her recent foot issue.
