Raducanu undeterred by French Open snub, sets sights on Nottingham

Emma Raducanu said she is in no rush to win the French Open and wasn't in her plans for this season after she decided to snub the tournament and head towards the grass court season. The Nottingham Open sees her return on Tuesday.

Raducanu didn't get a wildcard for the clay court major and decided to withdraw from qualifying which courted criticism when it was unlikely that she would get one in the first place considering how the FFT usually distribute the wildcards. But whilst that tournament wasn't on her list, she is feeling good ahead of Nottingham.

She will kick off the road towards Wimbledon and gave an update to reporters on her physical state after spending most of the last year on the shelf with injury. Getting surgery in 2023, she missed Wimbledon so it is new territory again for Raducanu who no doubt also will court the attention during the next few weeks from tournaments and also likely get an SW19 wildcard which she seemingly wanted to target.

"Body-wise, physical-wise, I feel really healthy," she told reporters as she begins her campaign on Tuesday.

"I've done amazing work with my trainer over the last few months, since surgery. I'm in a really fit place. I'm healthy and just looking forward to starting playing."

"I think my wrists are actually in a better position than they ever were. So there's zero doubt or apprehension whether I'm hitting the ball or designing my schedule," she said.

"It's more about being proactive and not wanting to put yourself in any unnecessary situations. I don't need to rush and try to win the French Open, it wasn't my goal this year.

"I had to prioritise where I wanted to target and it was just a good block for me to get some ­physical work done."