Emma Raducanu commented that she hopes to stay healthy after her victory over Rebeka Masarova by 6-2, 6-3 at Indian Wells. The 2021 US Open champion said she is happy with the first-round result but emphasized that her priority is to stay in good health.
The former world No. 10 was off the tour for 9 months in 2023 and underwent surgeries on her ankle and both wrists: “I had 3 surgeries within 10 days, which is pretty intense. For 2 or 3 weeks you can't do anything because you're not allowed to sweat. You can't move.. like I had a scooter, I couldn't even use crutches because of my wrist surgeries. It was really difficult.
“I was kind of swapping, you know two weeks the right [wrist] was in a cast. Then I take that off.. the right is in a splint. Take that off. The left goes in a cast. Then the left goes in a splint... And then it wasn't necessarily smooth coming back. I had a few set backs so… I started training pretty much in December again and that's not much time to kind of get ready.
According to Raducanu, despite the long time away from the courts, she couldn't do much training for her comeback in Australia at the beginning of the season: “Australia was in a bit of doubt as well. So to make it there and to be feeling healthy on the court now is the biggest win,” she said
“I know that good things and good results will come as long as I can stay healthy. Just doing the work. I know that good results will come as long as I can stay healthy and just keep doing the work that I am right now consistently day in and day out,” she added.
Raducanu d. Masarova 6-2 6-3 We all know Emma’s peak level is very high We also know the health issues she’s had have held her back But she looks determined to find the best possible version of herself as a tennis player & person & that’s a very special thing to chase. 🇬🇧❤️
