In a sudden turn of events at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Emma Raducanu's highly anticipated Round of 64 match has been abruptly cancelled. The British tennis star was originally set to face Italian opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Monday, but the fixture has been called off due to Cocciaretto's withdrawal from the tournament.
Injury Forces Last-Minute Withdrawal
The cancellation comes as Cocciaretto, currently ranked 56th in the world, has pulled out of the competition citing a thigh injury. This development has forced tournament organizers to scramble for a replacement opponent for Raducanu, who was preparing to compete in her first match since withdrawing from the Doha event last week.
New Opponent Confirmed
It has now been confirmed that Raducanu will instead face Antonia Ruzic in the rearranged match. Ruzic, a Serbian player ranked 67th globally, enters the contest after losing in the semi-finals of the qualification event to Rebecca Sramkova last Friday.
Ruzic's Recent Form Challenges
The 23-year-old Serbian has been experiencing a difficult period in her career, having lost each of her last five matches. Her most recent victory dates back to mid-January at the Hobart International, which means she will be looking to break this losing streak against Raducanu.
Raducanu's Comeback Bid
For Raducanu, this match represents an important opportunity to bounce back after her withdrawal from the Doha tournament where she was scheduled to face Camila Osorio. The British star will be eager to make a strong impression in Dubai as she continues her 2026 season.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues with this revised schedule, though further updates may follow as the tournament progresses.
