(VIDEO) Emma Raducanu hits the clay in France for the first time ahead of Billie Jean King Cup return

A new video of Emma Raducanu shows her training on the French clay as she prepares to return to a tournament. The 2021 US Open champion will play her next challenge in the Billie Jean King Cup against France, led by Caroline Garcia. A week later, she will travel to the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open, where she received a wild card and shares the main draw with 9 top-10 players.

This will be Raducanu's return to a clay tournament for the first time in a year since the 2023 Stuttgart Open, where she suffered a painful first-round defeat against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko (6-2, 6-1) in what was her last official match of that year.

The British player had some good performances in the first part of the season and is currently ranked world No. 302. Raducanu has a 5-5 record in 2023 and more than $200,000 in prize money, including wins over Marie Bouzkova (6-4, 6-1) and Dayana Yastremska (4-0, retired).

Playing on clay will be a big challenge for Raducanu, who previously commented that it's not her favorite surface, but she hopes to display a good level: 'I do love moving on clay, sliding, I find it very fun. It's interesting, I think it's different,' she said. The former world No. 1 will have as teammates for Great Britain the world No. 28 Katie Boulter, who recently won her first WTA 500 title at the San Diego Open. Harriet Dart and Heather Watson will also be on the team.

On the opposing side, the French players, more accustomed to clay courts, will have the 2022 WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia, accompanied by Clara Burel, Diane Parry, and Kristina Mladenovic: 'It's a super strong team. They have an amazing doubles pair. They have a great singles lineup so they could play anyone they want. They have so many options,' Raducanu said.