"I feel like everything happens for a reason": Emma Raducanu hits back at critics of injury troubles after Billie Jean King Cup success

Emma Raducanu returned to action this week at the Billie Jean King Cup and was superb as she hoisted her country to a semi-final run which was ended by upstarts Slovakia.

Speaking after her loss, Raducanu hit back at critics who have tried to suggest that she gave up after exiting the Asian swing some weeks ago. But she said that she feels like everything happens for a reason and she is now at that point where she is happy with her tennis.

She said that she is back now and is starting to play like she feels she can and that it is still about getting used to the transition between match practice and training and taking what she is gaining in the latter to the former.

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“Of course, I wanted to continue in the Asia swing,” said Raducanu, as she reflected on her unfortunate break in recent weeks. “I think I was playing some good tennis again in Seoul, and I was really feeling pretty good on those courts out there.

“Unfortunately I injured my foot. There were so many tournaments, and I wasn’t defending any points at the back end of the year, so of course I wanted to play. I think I just took the time and used it in a really proactive and productive way.

“I come back now, I feel like everything happens for a reason. It gave me time to work on certain things. Two days ago I served 10 aces, for example, which I did in Seoul in my last match, but it’s been a work in progress. It doesn’t just happen overnight.

“Even if I was a little bit at the time disappointed, now I feel pretty good, and I don’t look back with any regrets.

“I think you just have to use whatever cards that you’re dealt. I think you can’t change a situation or I couldn’t in that moment. You know, not trying to live in the past or the future, just being present. You know, trying to adapt with what you’ve got.

“I knew there were certain things I could improve, and I just really took the time. You know, just thought about my game differently. Practiced those things, and I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot with my tennis right now.

“The biggest challenge after a long lay off is more the introduction to match play again. It’s so different. The difference between a practice match and a real stakes match, that’s another transition.”