Emma Raducanu considered potential replacement for Barty as Wimbledon opener

WTA
Wednesday, 27 April 2022 at 12:30
Emma Raducena Wimbledon 2021
Emma Raducanu could be set to open play on Wimbledon's Centre Court in place of Ash Barty following the Aussie's retirement.
The tournament traditionally allows the defending champions in men's and women's singles to play the first match on the prestigious court on the opening two days but Barty will be unable to do so after retiring from tennis last month. The tournament is now considering several options including "prominent players".
On Tuesday, Chairman of the All England Club Ian Hewitt confirmed that a decision on who would take Barty's place and be given the honour of opening the first round of play on the prestigious court had not yet been made, but a range of options were being considered. He cited their recent decision to allow then-world No 1 Barty to open play in 2021 when the defending 2019 champion Simona Halep was injured and unable to compete.
Raducanu made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon as the world No 338 and became the first British woman in the Open Era to reach the round-of-16 as she stormed into the second week without dropping a set before retiring to Ajla Tomljanovic.

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