Emma Raducanu is set for her first WTA Tour match of the new season, with a fascinating first-round clash at the Hobart International against Colombia's Camila Osorio, a player whose family history is steeped in footballing legend.
A Formidable Opponent with Sporting Pedigree
The British number one will take on world number 85 Camila Osorio on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Colombian brings a formidable sporting heritage to the court. Her grandfather, Rolando Serrano, was an international footballer for Colombia, competing in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. The family's connection to the beautiful game runs deep: her father, Carlos, played for Deportes Quindio, and her brother, Sebastian, is a professional with Fortaleza CEIF.
Osorio's passion for football is so profound that she has reportedly named her two dogs after modern icons Lionel Messi and Neymar. While her mother chose a different path, she maintained the athletic tradition by pursuing a career in basketball.
Raducanu's Road to Recovery
This match marks another step in Raducanu's return to competition after an injury cut her 2025 season short in October. She made her comeback last week at the United Cup in Perth, representing Team GB in a tough three-set loss to Greece's Maria Sakkari.
Reflecting on that 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat, Raducanu said, "I am pretty happy with how I was able to play a match of three sets. Considering I played five or six games in practice, it's a big effort for me." She admitted the break made court feel "a little bit alien" initially but stated the performance gives her "confidence to what I can do when I do practice more."
Looking Ahead to Melbourne
All focus now turns towards building form for the Australian Open, which begins on January 18 in Melbourne. Raducanu, however, is taking a measured approach. "The season is still very, very young. Week one. There's a long way to go," she cautioned, emphasising she is not placing undue pressure on herself ahead of the season's first Grand Slam.
Her immediate challenge, Camila Osorio, is no pushover. The Colombian was a junior world number one and clinched the US Open girls' singles title in 2019. This Hobart International encounter promises to be a compelling blend of Raducanu's comeback narrative and Osorio's unique sporting lineage.
