Emma Raducanu French Open 2024 Entry Watch: Brit edges close to main draw after latest withdrawal from Julia Grabher

Emma Raducanu is eyeing a spot in the women's singles draw of the 2024 French Open. The Brit's bid to enter the claycourt Major strengthened this week with the withdrawal of World No. 143 Julia Grabher.

Raducanu made her much-awaited return to pro tennis earlier this year after ankle and wrist injuries marred her 2023 season. The 21-year-old has given a good account of herself in 2024, winning at least one match at a pro-tour event in five of her seven campaigns.

The highlights of the former US Open winner's season include the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open and the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, where she was denied by Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, respectively. In that context, the tennis world is waiting eagerly to see her at the second Major of the year — Roland Garros.

That said, Emma Raducanu is currently ranked at a lowly 212 in the world, which puts her outside the direct entry cut for the claycourt Slam. Currently on the alternates list for the main draw, she moved up to third after Julia Grabher, who is ranked 69 spots higher than her, withdrew from Paris.

Like Raducanu, Grabher had a bout with a severe wrist injury last year, which forced her to call curtains on her 2023 season. The withdrawal is hardly surprising, though, considering the German played only two competitive matches this year.

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Emma Raducanu opens up on improvements in 2024: "I'm in a much better place with my tennis"

Emma Raducanu hits a forehand at Stuttgart Open 2024

Emma Raducanu recently spoke about her wrist and ankle injuries and the surgeries that she required to rectify both issues. The Brit admitted that she was hesitant about revealing that she was going under the knife to the media.

"Obviously, a lot was going on," Raducanu told Sky Sports Tennis last month. "I knew I was going to have to have surgery. I didn't want to say anything about it [in the press conference] but I was a bit gutted about that."

The 2021 US Open winner also said during the interview that she was feeling confident about her claycourt prospects this year.

"I'm in a much better place with my tennis. Mentally I feel really confident and I'm just looking forward to the rest of the clay season, to be honest," she said.

"I must say I’m not too surprised [at reaching Stuttgart QFs] because I’ve been working really hard on the training court and I knew it was a matter of time. Honestly, I don’t think this is my best. I still have a long way to go," the Brit continued.