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The 21-year-old is set to return to Auckland
with a protected ranking of 103 and a year on from exiting the
tournament in tears after rolling her ankle during a second
round match moved indoors due to wet weather.
Raducanu condemned the court for being "very slippery" after
retiring against Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova, though organizers
were adamant the surface was fit to play.
"Despite the fact she had to retire this year, she was really
happy to come back," tournament director Nicolas Lamperin told
New Zealand media on Thursday.
Raducanu joins a field featuring reigning champion and U.S. Open
holder Coco Gauff and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki,
who was given a wildcard as she continues her tour comeback
after a three-year hiatus to start a family.
American Amanda Anisimova was also given a wildcard and is set
to return to action after pulling out of the tour in May, citing
burnout and mental health concerns.
Unlike former Australian Open champion Wozniacki, who won her
sole Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park in 2018, Raducanu missed
out on a wildcard in the initial batch announced on Wednesday
for the year's first Grand Slam.
Organizers will award another four for the women's singles main
draw before the tournament starts Jan. 14.
If Raducanu misses out again she may have to battle through
qualifying to compete.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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