Emma Raducanu openly admitted that she had been aware of the need for surgery for a considerable period before finally undergoing the procedures. Her struggles with injuries persisted throughout her first full season on the WTA Tour in 2022, and this trend continued into 2023 when she suffered an ankle injury in Auckland during her first tournament of the season.
Despite a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open, Raducanu participated with limited preparation, leading to a second-round exit. Subsequently, lingering wrist issues resurfaced after the tournament, causing discomfort during events in Indian Wells and Miami. A tough first-round defeat in Stuttgart prompted Raducanu to make a decisive choice. On May 1st of the same year, she announced her surgeries on both wrists and her right ankle through a hospital bed selfie.
Last week, in Auckland, the 21-year-old marked her return to the court post-surgery. As she gears up for the Australian Open, Raducanu is now fully healthy and prepared.
Reflecting on the challenging period, Raducanu shared, “I knew for a while before I did the surgeries that I needed it. I was only practicing for 45 minutes a day. I couldn’t practice everything I wanted to because of the pain. I felt very undercooked when I would go into matches and unprepared. That was the most difficult thing mentally for me to take.”
Raducanu is making a return to the tennis scene with heightened enthusiasm and a renewed hunger for the game. Last year, she underwent her inaugural surgery as a professional tennis player, enduring three surgeries within a two-week span, which kept her sidelined for over half a year.
Embarking on her comeback in Auckland, Raducanu entered her first tournament in eight months. While the period of inactivity and missed tournaments was undoubtedly challenging, it served as a valuable realization for Raducanu regarding her profound love for tennis. The extended break from competition only intensified her desire to play again.
Reflecting on this, Raducanu expressed, “One thing the time off has told me is I love the sport. Like going back on after such a long break, you come back with so much more enthusiasm and hunger.”
This year, Emma Raducanu eagerly anticipates her return to Wimbledon, eager to compete in front of her home fans once again. She is also looking forward to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, scheduled at the beginning of the clay season in April.
Expressing her excitement, Raducanu remarked, “I think going back to Wimbledon will be really special for me. I love the huge crowds and the big stadiums; that’s one of my favorite things about tennis. I can’t wait for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. It’s got the best prize out there on tour!”
Following less success in the 2022 and 2023 seasons after her triumph at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu attributes her challenges to struggles with maintaining good health over an extended period. Now that she is back to full health, her primary focus is to sustain it throughout the entire season. Aiming for consistency in training and participation, Raducanu believes that playing regularly will contribute to building her form and gaining valuable experience.
In her pre-tournament press conference at the Australian Open, Raducanu emphasized her long-term definition of success, stating, “I think success to me in the long-term is, for the rest of the year, to play a full season, to be healthy throughout, to be able to train consistent weeks. I know my level is there, I just need to keep working on it to make it more consistent. I think that will come with time in the gym, time on court, being able to play the calendar, not thinking about ‘Will I have to pull out from this one, does that hurt’? I think my level, to be honest, is just too good not to come through if I put consistent work together.”
Emma Raducanu is poised to embark on her third campaign at the Australian Open, and the draw revealed that she will face American Shelby Rogers in the first round. This match marks their second meeting, with Raducanu securing a convincing victory of 6-2, 6-1 over Rogers two and a half years ago en route to winning the 2021 US Open.
As they prepare for their upcoming Australian Open clash, Raducanu is considered the favorite. In a recent match in Auckland, she triumphed in a thrilling encounter against Elena-Gabriela Ruse and came close to defeating Elina Svitolina before ultimately falling short in three sets. On the other hand, Rogers is making her return to competition after missing the latter half of 2023 due to an abdominal muscle injury sustained at Wimbledon.
A strong performance at the Australian Open holds significant meaning for Raducanu, providing a boost to her confidence and belief as she looks ahead in her tennis journey.
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