Emma Raducanu: Former US Open champion says she can be a dangerous opponent for anyone at the Australian Open | Tennis news
Emma Raducanu says she is ready to compete with the best players at the Australian Open after recovering from back spasms.
The 22-year-old pulled out of a planned warm-up tournament in Auckland last week due to what she described as a back problem, but has been training at Melbourne Park this week.
Raducanu revealed during her pre-tournament press conference that the source of the problem was a cramp she suffered during training in London.
“I feel good,” she said. “I think the last 10 days I had a positive training block. Getting back on the field, adapting to the conditions here, it was good for me. Now I feel good and I feel ready to give my best here.
“I was warming up one morning, bent down to tie my shoelaces and I got a cramp. That’s it. It took a while to go away. I’ve had them before. They usually go away in a few days. But this one lasted a few weeks. I had to miss a lot of training before I went, I couldn’t play in Auckland.”
It was another physical setback for Raducanu, who played just 10 matches last year after Wimbledon, missing two months with a foot injury before recovering in time to play for Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup in November.
She has won all three of her matches there and her confidence has been boosted by strong performances in training this week.
“I played sets with top players,” she said. “I feel like I’m holding up more than well in those cases and in practice. I feel pretty good about my game. I’m looking forward to taking it out on the field for the game. I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anybody really.”
Raducanu she got a tough draw against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrovawho she was due to play for at Wimbledon last summer before the 30-year-old pulled out.
“The draw is tough, of course,” Raducanu said of Tuesday’s contest. “Because you’re not seeded, you can play against any top opponent. She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I come in with an underdog mentality. She’s been in this situation a lot more times than I have.”
A new member of Raducanu’s team for this season is renowned fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, and the former US Open champion hopes he will help improve her physical resilience and realize her potential.
She doesn’t expect overnight results, saying, “I think bodybuilding is a continuous process. I don’t think it’s something you necessarily put a time frame on.
“Like, ‘okay, I’ll be a top athlete in a year.’ Even when you’re a top athlete, there’s always things you can do better. But I think I can already feel the difference when I step on the court.
“I feel like I’m pretty reactive and explosive. I think that comes from my warm-ups not necessarily being warm-ups, but more like a session. I feel ready to go when I’m on the court.
“As for how long it will take, I’m not sure. I trust his work and his judgment.”
Boulter: That number is my name for a reason
The leading female in Britain is Katie Boulter, who is the 22nd seed and is looking to continue her upward momentum.
Boulter is now targeting the top 10 and showed what a threat she can be to the top players by pushing world No.2 Igo Swiatek to the limit at the United Cup last week.
“Iga is one of the best in the game,” Boulter said. “I really felt like I was able to get over that line. I also felt like I was pretty calm in that situation, which is something I haven’t always felt when playing with massive players.
“I think that kind of mindset will help me win those matches. I really believe I can do it.
“I believe that number is my name for a reason. I want to move it higher and higher.”
Boulter, who is guaranteed support at home following her engagement to Australian No.1 Alexa De Minaur, begins her campaign against Canada’s Rebecca Marino on Tuesday.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – 3.-9. February
- Dallas Open (ATP 500) – 3.-9. February
- Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – 3.-9. February
- Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – 3.-8. February
- Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – 9.-15. February
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – 16.-22. February
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