No major 2024 tournament for Lionesses – but Emma Raducanu can spearhead upwards trajectory for women’s sport in UK

England's Lionesses might not be playing at a major tournament this year, but the 2024 calendar is packed full of action that will ensure the exponential growth of women's sports continues.

The Lionesses continued to dominate headlines in 2023, making it to an historic first ever World Cup final, before their painful defeat to Spain.

They then experienced an equally painful Nations League campaign which means they will not feature at this year's Olympics, leaving them without a major tournament in 2024.

However, as women's sport continues to benefit from the 'Lionesses effect' which catapulted them to great prominence following their Euro 2022 victory, here are some of the 2024 highlights that will ensure women's sport continues to grow, year on year.

Australian Open

Britain's Emma Raducanu has returned to action after eight months out which saw her recovering from ankle and wrist operations.

The youngster has dropped to a world ranking of 299th in her absence, but says she is 'feeling good' ahead of the 2024 Australian Open.

Raducanu shot to fame when she won the US Open in 2021, becoming the first qualifier to do so.

Since her success, she has struggled to regain momentum — but this could well be the year she returns to her best.

Speaking to the media ahead of her opener at the Australian Open, she said: «I feel a lot lighter than I did for a long time after the US Open. I feel like I'm not playing with a backpack of rocks.»

And the 21-year-old sounded confident that she would soon reach the dazzling heights that saw her burst onto the scene.

She added: «I think my level, to be honest, is just too good not to come through if I put consistent work together.»

The Red Roses

England's Red Roses are the favourites heading