Emma Raducanu will make her long-awaited Grand Slam return at the Australian Open on Monday and during her pre-tournament press conference she spoke about feeling a lot happier these days, her fitness and her goal for 2024, among other things.
Following her stunning 2021 success at the US Open where she became the first qualifier to win the US Open, Raducanu struggled with both form and injury over the next two campaigns.
But after missing the bulk of the 2023 campaign due to injury, Raducanu feels she is finally in a better space as she feels the pressure is off.
“I feel a lot lighter now than I did for a long time after [the] US Open. I feel like I’m not playing with a backpack of rocks. I feel pretty light and happy,” she explained.
“Reflecting on the past, I think people are very important. I think surrounding yourself with competent and knowledgeable people is of course really important, but also the type of person and their character is big-time, just making sure we really get on and intentions are really good.”
Fitness Concerns
The 20-year-old played only 10 matches last year as she underwent surgery on both her wrists and one ankle. As a result, she missed the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
She made her comeback at the ASB Classic in Auckland a fortnight ago, winning her opening match before going down against Elina Svitolina in the second round.
Raducanu was then due to play in two exhibition matches in Australia, but withdrew from both due to “soreness” following extensive practice sessions.
But she has played down concerns over her fitness.
“Physically I feel good. I did a lot of good work in the off-season,” the British youngster said.
“But I think that, regardless of how good I may feel on the court on a particular day or in practice, I think to get that level of consistency is going to require more time.
“I’ve been doing the right work, doing it consistently. I just need to keep going more and more. But I feel good on court and in the gym.”
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu’s comeback hailed as a ‘miracle’ after she spent time on a mobility scooter
Raducanu On Her 2024 Goals
Raducanu has slipped to No 299 in the WTA Rankings following her inactivity in 2023, which is a long way away from the career-high No 10 she achieved in July 2022.
And while climbing up the rankings will no doubt be her goal, she knows she needs to crawl first before she can walk.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
What About Her Coaching Situation?
Raducanu has gone through several coaches since she made her breakthrough and she won’t have a full-time coach with her during the Australian Open.
Instead, Nick Cavaday – who she previously worked with between the ages of 10 and 12 – will be in her coaching box.
“We’re just taking it how it goes. It’s been working really well so far,” she said.
“I, of course, hope to continue with him because I feel very comfortable with him. I know his sister (former British player Naomi Cavaday) really well because, like, everyone is from Bromley.”
