Before the 2024 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu’s highly anticipated charity match was suddenly cancelled. Social media users criticized the event organizers for the last-minute cancellation. A few others slammed the players for reportedly ignoring their match commitment and publishing commercial ads on Instagram.
During the four days of the Australian Open’s opening week, many stars will compete in charity matches. Osaka was supposed to open the competition on January 9 against an opponent who was not yet identified, according to the original schedule. Raducanu was then identified as the Japanese star’s rival.
But with just hours remaining, Osaka took the precautionary decision to pull out. After Donna Vekic replaced Raducanu, she likewise declared that she was leaving because she was uncomfortable. As a result, the Australian Open organizers chose to call off the match entirely. Fans on social media got frustrated over this. They said that a large number of viewers—particularly those who resided further away—would have left their houses earlier to attend the event.
Raducanu and Osaka uploaded sponsored content on their Instagram profiles around the time they announced their withdrawals. Osaka shared her VR avatar for Meta platforms Raducanu uploaded a story promoting Dior products.
Fans were not pleased with Raducanu and Osaka for abruptly cancelling a charity event and advertising commercial goods. Many thought that choosing neither player for an exhibition match was a bad idea.
One fan commented: “What a bunch of tosspots Osaka and Raducanu are. And I’m a fan of both so I deserve to say this, as it’s not coming from a place of hate. It’s for charity, FFS! Even Djokovic is playing for charity with a wrist injury. Shambolic by both.”
Another one wrote: “These two have not played for a year and the corporate tennis community has truly been kind to them. Couldn’t they just step out for charity?”
Unfortunately, tonight’s (January 9) Charity Match will not take place.
Anyone who has purchased a ticket will receive an automatic refund from Ticketmaster directly into their registered account within 3-5 business days.
Ticket holders can still access Melbourne Park today for…
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 9, 2024
Emma Raducanu in 2024
LWWLLWWLWW Currently ranked no.299, Raducanu played her last match on the 4th of January when she lost to world no.23 Elina Svitolina 6-7(5) 7-6(3) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Auckland (draw).
At the moment, during this season the Brit achieved an overall 1-1 match record.
Naomi Osaka in 2024
LWWWLWLWLW At the moment ranked no.833, Osaka played her last match on the 3rd of January when she lost to world no.37 Karolina Pliskova 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4 in the 2nd round in Brisbane (draw).
Presently, during this year Osaka owns an overall 1-1 match record.
Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka have never clashed against each other.
