Emma Raducanu next match LIVE: Date, UK time, opponent and how to follow Australian Open first round clash

Emma Raducanu is the 28th seed at the 2026 Australian Open but has still be handed a nightmare draw.

The seedings and draw have been revealed for the first Grand Slam of 2026, which begins this weekend.

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The 23-year-old British number one has been boosted by the fact she will be seeded at Melbourne Park this year.

It means she has avoided the best players in the world in the opening rounds.

But in a cruel blow, she’s still be handed the toughest possible task early on in the major should she make it.

Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open

Raducanu has never lost in the first round of the Australian Open, having made four appearances.

Her best run was to the third round in 2025 and the fact she is seeded this year means she will be confident of doing well again.

Speaking on the Australian Open, Raducanu said: “I need to get used to the conditions and the courts. In particular the wind is quite strong here.

“So, getting used to that, adjusting the game, probably accepting that you’re not going to feel like you’re hitting the ball amazingly because it’s a lot of adapting and improvising.

“But it’s all part of the skill set that you need to play in all types of conditions so I think it will also be a good test and challenge for that.”

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Emma Raducanu’s next match

Raducanu will get her major campaign underway against Thailand’s world number 241 Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

The first round clash is scheduled for Sunday, January 18 but a start time has not been confirmed yet.

In the UK, coverage of the Australian Open will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Discovery+.

The action will be available with a TNT Sports subscription, which can be purchased here.

Should she win, Raducanu would face Suzan Lamens or Anastasia Potapova in the second round.

And the Brit has been draw in the same section as world number one Aryna Sabalenka and a third round meeting is on the cards should both players make it.

It means Raducanu has drawn against the top seed at the earliest opportunity despite being seeded.

Raducanu lost to world number 242 Taylah Preston at the Hobart International on Thursday.

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Emma Raducanu’s injuries

The 2021 US Open winner ended her 2025 season early during the Asian swing due to illness and fatigue.

She then dealt with a minor foot injury over the winter period that she has been battling ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Raducanu was forced to withdraw from her United Cup match against Naomi Osaka.

Tim Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine: “I’ve got to be honest, she was very, very close.

“It was not any easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well.”

Raducanu herself did not delve into just how bad the problem was.

She later said: “I think, at the end of the day, it’s a team event and Katie’s [Swan] playing great so it gives me an extra day.”

Raducanu beat Camila Osorio in the opening round in Hobart but lost 6-2, 6-4 to Preston to end her hopes in that event early.