When is Emma Raducanu playing at the Australian Open? Start time and how to watch

Raducanu is the 28th seed and will begin her tournament against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is ranked 195th in the world

Raducanu has won her previous four first-round matches at the Australian Open (Getty Images)

Emma Raducanu begins her Australian Open campaign against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Sunday, as the British No 1 enters a grand slam as one of the seeded players for the first time in three years.

Having returned to the world’s top 30 following a more positive 2025 season, Raducanu still landed a tough draw for the tournament with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka a likely opponent if she makes the third round.

Before then, Raducanu will need to find some form as she takes on the No 195-ranked Sawangkaew, who will be making her grand slam main draw debut.

After a troublesome foot injury disrupted her off-season, the 2021 US Open champion has played just three matches in 2026, losing two, and exited the Hobart International this week to the No 204-ranked Taylah Preston.

Raducanu has won her four previous first-round matches at the Australian Open since making her debut at the tournament in 2022.

The 23-year-old reached the third round last year, her best result at the tournament, where she lost to world No 2 Iga Swiatek in straight-sets.

When is Emma Raducanu playing at Australian Open?

Raducanu is among the players who will be appearing on the first day of the main draw on Sunday 18 January. Her match against Mananchaya Sawangkaew is scheduled fourth on the Margaret Court Arena.

Raducanu’s match will following the opening match of the night session, between men’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik and Jenson Brooksby, with that match not starting before 8am UK time (7pm local).

A late start for Raducanu could therefore be ideal for the UK audience, with the British No 1 facing a start time of around 10:30am GMT, although it could be later if the Bublik match goes long.

Order of play - Margaret Court Arena

00:30

1. Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs. Leolia Jeanjean (FRA)
2. [18] Francisco Cerúndolo (ARG) vs. Zhizhen Zhang (CHN)

08:00

1. [10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs. Jenson Brooksby (USA)
2. Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) vs. [28] Emma Raducanu (GBR)

For the full order of play, click here

Is the Australian Open on TV?

The tournament will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK as well as online on Discovery+.

In the US, it will be shown live on ESPN and Tennis Channel.