Emma Raducanu has missed out on the initial batch of wildcard entries for the Australian Open. The former US Open champion has a protected ranking of 103 because of her lengthy absence from the tour following operations on both wrists and one ankle but that is not high enough to secure entry to the grand slam tournament in Melbourne next month.

The 21-year-old Briton’s status as a former grand slam title winner and one of the most high-profile female players in the sport counts in her favour but most wildcards usually go to home players.

If Raducanu is not given a wildcard, and there are not sufficient withdrawals among higher‑ranked players to secure her place, she will have to go through qualifying – the avenue by which she triumphed sensationally at the US Open in 2021.

The good news is, after doubts about the pace of her recovery, she has stepped up training in recent weeks and appears on track to return at the start of next season. Raducanu has not played a tournament since the WTA event in Stuttgart in April and her actual ranking has fallen to 296.

That is 54 places lower than the former world No 1 and Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, who has been awarded a wildcard. The Dane came out of retirement last summer following a hiatus of three‑and-a-half years during which she had two children.

Other wildcards for the tournament, which begins on 14 January, have gone to the Australians Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston.