Emma Raducanu played her first tournaments of the season in Adelaide and Melbourne
Emma Raducanu returned to action at the beginning of 2024, ending the previous season in April and undergoing surgeries on both wrists and one ankle in May. After a rehab, Emma is finally back on trhe court, scoring two wins in Auckland and Melbourne.
The 21-year-old is prioritizing her health after many setback. Thus, Raducanu is unsure about her Billie Jean King Cup participation against France in the Qualifiers round in April. France will host Great Britain on an indoor clay, and Raducanu is scheduled to play on the same surface a week later in Sttutgart.
Despite an early Australian Open loss, the young gun is happy with her progress and how her body reacted. The Briton’s next tournament should be the Abu Dhabi Open at the beginning of February, earning the main draw wild card.
Raducanu made a great start in Melbourne, ousting Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 16 minutes. Emma fired up her first serve, sailing through her service games and breaking the rival’s resistance with three breaks on her tally.
The second match brought a real struggle against Yafan Wang, with two players embracing a three-hour battle. The Chinese prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, and the Briton refused to surrender despite an apparent struggle. Emma fought until the last ball despite stomach issues, calling the doctor in the early stages of the third set and taking pills.
Raducanu admitted she had to throw up in her mouth before taking it all out after the duel. Emma liked her fighting spirit and mental composure, staying competitive despite not seeing the ball clearly in some exchanges.
Emma Raducanu is unsure about her Billie Jean King Cup participation in April.
The Briton expects to sort a couple of elements of her game after such an extended break and compete at a high level in the rest of 2024.
Three of Raducanu’s first four matches of the season went into a decider, and her body reacted well. Emma should return to the court in a couple of weeks in Abu Dhabi, hoping for a good run and more positive vibes on her comeback trail.
Raducanu stunned the tennis world in September 2021, securing the US Open title as a qualifier and writing history books. However, the Briton has struggled ever since, earning five Major wins since 2022 and hoping to change that in the upcoming notable events.
“I love representing my country. However, I have to think twice about my schedule following the niggles and rehab process, with my fitness standing as priority this year,” Emma Raducanu said.