Emma Raducanu walks off court at the Australian Open. Smile if you just got your first Grand Slam win since coming back from injury. 🫶❤️
"Had a huge cyst removed, I traveled here on a wheelchair": Emma Raducanu gives main difference compared to 12 months ago at Australian Open
WTATuesday, 16 January 2024 at 22:30
Emma
Raducanu made a stunning return to the Grand Slam stage at the 2024 Australian
Open, triumphing over the former world No. 30 Shelby Rogers (currently ranked
No. 161) with a commanding scoreline of 6-3, 6-2. The young British talent
marked her reappearance in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the
Australian Open in 2023 and reflected on the differences between the two
experiences.
During a
post-match press conference, the 2021 US Open champion was asked about the
disparity between the Emma who walked on court in Australia 12 months ago and
the Emma who faced Shelby Rogers. Raducanu candidly responded, "Well, the
Emma who walked on court 12 months ago had a huge cyst removed about 10 days
before, had to offload. I traveled here on a wheelchair. I only started hitting
3 days before the match."
Raducanu's Journey: From Disappointment to Equilibrium
Emma
Raducanu's last appearance on the court was nine months ago at the Stuttgart
Open, where she faced a disappointing defeat against Jelena Ostapenko (6-2,
6-1). Following this defeat, she announced a hiatus to undergo surgeries on
both wrists and one of her ankles, leading to an extensive recovery throughout
the rest of the year.
Reflecting
on the challenging period, Raducanu expressed, "That whole process was a
lot of stress. We weren't sure if I was going to be able to play here. So I
think I was also, in a way, grateful to have the chance to play. I didn't want
to back out of the AO, so I did everything I could. But I think this year, and
now there's just a lot more calm."
She
continued, "I think I'm more levelheaded. I think things around me have
settled. I do feel better, and there's just less, I'd say, highs and lows
around. It's just more of an equilibrium." Raducanu emphasized a newfound
sense of balance and calmness as she makes her return to competitive tennis.
Raducanu's Optimism:
Emma
Raducanu shared her optimism about maintaining peak physical condition
throughout the year, expressing that she does not plan on taking any breaks as
her recovery has been notably positive.
"Well,
my wrists have been really good actually. I have been doing my rehab
religiously every single day. Shouts out to Millie, who is on me like a
hawk," she remarked, acknowledging the support of her rehabilitation team.
She
continued, "Yeah, it's paid off. I don't have any fear or any restrictions
on anything. I've passed all the return-to-play markers. My grip strength is
higher than ever. It's just about continuing to do the boring rehab, for
example. Yeah, hopefully, I'll be in good shape," Raducanu concluded,
highlighting her commitment to the recovery process and her positive outlook
for the upcoming season.
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