Emma Raducanu is looking forward to the rest of the season after a strong showing at the recently concluded Nottingham Open. Following an injury-riddled 2023 and an inconsistent 2024 season so far, the Brit reached the Nottingham Open semifinals, where she lost to eventual champion and compatriot Katie Boulter.
Raducanu breezed past unseeded Ena Shibahara, Daria Snigur, and Francesca Jones (walkover) to reach the semis of the WTA 250 event. Even against No. 3 seed Boulter, she got off to a strong start, clinching the first set following a nail-biting tiebreak. However, Boulter proved too strong for the 2021 US Open champion as she came back to win the match 6-7(13), 6-3, 6-4.
In a post-match press conference, Raducanu delved into her current fitness levels. Despite still recovering from “a bug and a cold,” she felt confident about her ability to continue competing. “I feel really good. After the match I went and did intervals, I feel strong, I feel like I could play tomorrow. I am just shaking off a bit of a bug and a cold but physically I am fine. I just feel fit, I feel strong. I didn’t pick up any niggles. Even at the start of this year, just gaining that match fitness and being able to day after day, it’s a good position for me to be in,” Raducanu said.
The 21-year-old also reflected on how skipping the French Open has positively impacted her fitness, allowing her to focus more on training. “Feeling a little fatigued but being in the latter stages of a tournament. There’s no point being super fresh if you’re out first round every week. I have come a long way. I physically feel really good. That block has just allowed me to do more work, more fitness. I am starting to trust my body a lot more. I wouldn’t say I am the finished product at all but I am getting there,” Raducanu added.
Raducanu’s decision to refuse a wildcard entry to the 2024 Paris Olympics also sparked discussions. She justified her decision by emphasizing the need to prioritize her health, avoiding the additional stress of switching from grass to clay surfaces. “For me, it was pretty clear from the start. I’m very single-minded, I do things my own way and at my own time, whenever I want, not in a diva way, but prioritizing my body and my health. If I’m fit, if I’m giving 100 per cent, I know great things are coming. I just don’t think there’s any need to put additional stress on my body or any risks, especially with my [injury] history,” Raducanu said (via The Times).
The Brit had earlier withdrawn from the French Open to get a head start in her preparations for this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
Emma Raducanu in 2024
LWWLLWWLWW Ranked world no.168, Emma played her last match on the 16th of June when she surrendered to world no.32 Katie Boulter 6-7(13) 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Nottingham (draw).
This year Emma achieved a composed 11-8 record. Emma Raducanu’s latest run in Nottingham was the best achievement of her season.
Emma Raducanu will come up against the world no.45 Sloane Stephens in the 1st round on Tuesday at 12:30 pm on CENTRE COURT. Their actual record is 1-0 for Raducanu.
Emma Raducanu |
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