Emma Raducanu will make her return to tennis in the United Cup team competition in Australia in the first week of 2027.
Britain's 2021 US Open champion has not played since June because of a stress fracture of the shin.
Raducanu was beaten by Croatia’s Donna Vekic in her first grass-court final at Queen's Club on 14 June, but had to pull out of Wimbledon on the eve of her opening match just 14 days later.
The 23-year-old contemplated playing a couple of events in Asia this autumn but, by delaying her return until January, she will be able to use a special ranking of 38 to enter tournaments.
A special ranking is available to players who have been out with injury for at least six months. In Raducanu's case, it reflects her position in the world rankings after Wimbledon, as she received some prize money despite not playing a match there.
The current British number five will be able to use a special ranking to enter eight events next year, including two Grand Slams and five WTA 1000 tournaments.
Her actual ranking of 107 would likely be too low to make the main draw of January's Australian Open and most other WTA Tour events.
But with a special ranking, Raducanu will not only be assured of playing in Melbourne…
