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Raducanu, who shot to prominence with a stunning triumph at the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier, is ranked too low for direct entry into the top WTA tournaments.<\/p>\n
A protected injury ranking of 103rd helped the former British number one enter last month’s Australian Open without needing to go through qualifying.<\/p>\n
But the rule – which allows players to freeze their ranking if they are out for six months or more – has not enabled Raducanu to move directly into the Indian Wells or Miami main draws.<\/p>\n
Eight wildcards are available for Indian Wells, which has already awarded two to American seven-time major champion Williams and Danish former world number one Wozniacki.<\/p>\n
If Raducanu does not receive a wildcard in Indian Wells, she could play in qualifying.<\/p>\n
Raducanu missed most of the 2023 season after operations on both of her wrists, as well as ankle surgery, before returning to tour in January.<\/p>\n
She has won three of the seven matches of her comeback so far and, instead of taking a wildcard for Dubai after losing to Kalinina, returned to the UK for a training block at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n