After returning to competitive play, Emma Raducanu has expressed uncertainty over her availability for Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup match against France in April.
The former US Open champion has only played just one senior match for her nation, in a tie against the Czech Republic in 2022. She was sidelined by wrist issues for the finals match later that year, losing to France in April and winning against Sweden in November.
When asked about Raducanu’s potential participation, Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong was equally underwhelmed by her claim that she was unaware of the date of last year’s France tie.
Raducanu expressed her thoughts about her fitness and body and said: “I’m very positive, very happy with how my body is. I think the wrist in particular was something that I struggled with in coming back because I just had a setback for a few months, so I couldn’t play until late November again really.”
She added: “Now I feel good. Ankle feels good. I think, if I keep my work consistent, I have a good shot. This is only my first trip back. I think that tidying up some of the areas, tidying up a bit of technique and things, also just getting used to playing matches outdoors, as well, because the conditions were very windy.”
The 21-year-old lost to Wang Yafan in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday due to more physical issues, but these were more likely the result of an unpleasant digestive illness than any potential injuries.
Raducanu concluded her discussion and said: “I think she (Wang) handled it a lot better, the wind. She junk-balled me. She moon-balled me. She gave me a lot of these scrappy little shots, but it worked. I need to spend more time on tour, spend more time training, and putting good weeks together.”
Emma Raducanu in 2024
Now ranked no.296, the Brit played her last match on the 18th of January when she was overcome by world no.94 Yafan Wang 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Raducanu has an overall 2-2 match record.