By Melissa Woods
Tennis fans have been left disappointed by the last-minute cancellation of a charity match featuring two grand slam champions, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu.
Former world No.1 Osaka withdrew early on Tuesday as a “precautionary measure”, with the 26-year-old Japanese star on the comeback trail after giving birth.
Naomi Osaka practising on Rod Laver Arena at the weekend.Credit: Joe Armao
The two-time Australian Open winner was replaced by world No.25 Croatian Donna Vekic for the Rod Laver Arena clash against 2021 US Open champion Raducanu of Great Britain.
But organisers announced that Tuesday night’s charity event had been cancelled altogether and that ticket-holders would be refunded.
“Unfortunately, tonight’s (January 9) Charity Match will not take place,” organisers posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon.
“Anyone who has purchased a ticket will receive an automatic refund from Ticketmaster directly into their registered account within 3-5 business days.
Emma RaducanuCredit: Kelly Defina
“Ticket holders can still access Melbourne Park today for AO Qualifying, as well as extended Open Practice on Rod Laver Arena.”
The Telegraph newspaper in London reported that Raducanu – who has been plagued by injury in her short career – decided she did not want to risk pushing her body after waking up “a little sore”.
Osaka missed last year’s Australian Open and made her return to competitive tennis at last week’s Brisbane International.
Some fans were unhappy with the notice provided, saying they had already departed for the venue.
Tickets for the charity matches start at $20, with proceeds supporting children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.
Spanish young gun Carlos Alcaraz is due to take on top-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur, the new world No.10, in a charity match on Wednesday night.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic headlines the main night on Thursday, which also includes 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Aryna Sabalenka, who won the women’s title last year.