Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her match with Naomi Osaka as Great Britain begin their Fed Cup tie with Japan in Australia.
The British number one has not played since October and has given no reason for withdrawing from her match against Osaka in Perth as the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on January 18.
“I have to be honest, she was very close,” England captain Tim Henman told Australia’s Nine Network.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. She’s been working out and practicing well. But we just felt like it was a little too early this morning.”
GB will face Greece after playing Japan in Group E.
Henman added: “I don’t think she’s necessarily out of this game yet. So let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
