"There are certain moments where I was given a lot of gifts" - Raducanu on rewatching her US Open matches from last year

Emma Raducanu believes that her opponents have played far better than her and when she rewatched her matches from the US Open last year, she felt that luck played a significant role for her at times.

At the Western & Southern Open this week, Raducanu got off to a promising start by defeating Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, two former World No.1s, in the first and second rounds, respectively. However, her impressive run was cut short in the third round at the hands of Jessica Pegula, who defeated her in an impressive 7-5 6-4 showing.

Speaking at her post-match press conference, the Brit expounded on how she believes she has progressed as a player and said that she is utilizing the same strategies that got her success at Flushing Meadows last year.

"I think, like honestly, that my opponents have been playing a lot better this year, and I'm rewatching my matches from the US Open, and there are certain moments where I was given a lot of gifts or maybe they got a bit tight, or, you know, something like that," Raducanu said.

"So I think I have improved actually as a player. I just, like as I'm finding this sort of freedom in my swinging, yeah, I think that I achieved something great, of course, but it was, like, I was playing completely free and I'm starting to do that again."

When asked if she was excited to return to New York to defend her US Open title, Emma Raducanu said she was eagerly looking forward to it. She added that she has also been craving for bagels for the last year.

"Well, I just love New York as a city, so I can't wait to go back," admitted the 19-year old. "I really have been craving a bagel for the last year. So I can't wait to go back to New York. It's one of my favorite cities out there."

Raducanu will be in action next at the US Open, which runs from August 29 till September 12.