Emma Raducanu says it's 'amazing to be pain free' after victorious Grand Slam return at Australian Open
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 16/01/2024 at 13:23 GMT
“It’s amazing to be pain free with the wrists. I didn’t know if I’d ever get to this stage,” said Emma Raducanu after beating Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open. Raducanu also revealed that she was in a wheelchair ahead of the 2023 Australian Open, and told Eurosport’s Laura Robson that she feels “lighter and more refreshed” on her return to the tour
'Things around me are a lot calmer' - Raducanu feeling 'refreshed' on return
Video credit: TNT Sports
Emma Raducanu said it felt “amazing to be pain free” after making an impressive Grand Slam return with victory over Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open.
Raducanu underwent wrist and ankle surgery in May 2023 and missed the rest of the season.
Playing her first Grand Slam in a year, she produced a confident performance as she swept past Rogers for the loss of just five games.
Raducanu said afterwards that time away from tennis made her “very hungry” to return, having previously played through pain and put off surgery.
“It’s amazing to be pain free with the wrists. I didn’t know if I’d ever get to this stage,” she said.
“I had pain for so long, I was playing since before the US swing in 2022 all the way until surgery and it was difficult because I wasn’t able to train and practise. I wasn’t able to go and compete against the best in the world.
“I was trying to make it until after Wimbledon, but I just couldn’t. Mentally, I wanted to be in the best position possible every match and I just decided to [have surgery].
“The time away made me very hungry and I’m happy to be healthy again and pain free.”
Raducanu also revealed how different she feels at this year’s Australian Open compared to 2023, when she was a doubt to even play .
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/01/16/3863895-78510828-2560-1440.png)
Raducanu makes strong start to Grand Slam return with win - Australian Open highlights
Video credit: TNT Sports
“The Emma who walked on court 12 months ago had a huge cyst removed about 10 days before and had to offload. I travelled here in a wheelchair, I only started hitting three days before the match,” she said.
“That whole process was a lot of stress, we weren’t sure if I was going to be able to play here. I was also grateful to have the chance to play; I didn’t want to back out of the Australian Open, so I did everything I could, but this year there’s a lot more calm around.
“I’m more level-headed, things around me have settled. I do feel better and there’s less highs and lows around. It’s more of an equilibrium.”
Raducanu started her 2024 season in Auckland, where she won her opening match before pushing eventual runner-up Elina Svitolina close in the second round.
She told Eurosport’s Laura Robson that she feels “lighter and more refreshed” on her return after eight months out.
“Things around me are a lot calmer and a lot better,” she said.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/01/16/3863830-78509533-2560-1440.jpg)
Raducanu will be ‘delighted’ after 'clinical' win against Rogers – Henman and Schett
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I’m looking forward to doing consistent work now and finding a place just to do that, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”
Raducanu next faces Wang Yafan and could meet British No. 1 Katie Boulter in the third round.
She said there were some nerves against Rogers, but it was a “special feeling” to return to Grand Slam action with a win.
“Playing my first Slam back after the surgery and the injuries is a really special feeling. I was a little bit more nervous today than I was last week, but I think that’s totally normal.
“I don’t think there’s a player in the draw who isn’t feeling that in the first round. I’m really happy to have gotten through in windy conditions. I just managed the situations well.
“The number one thing [I missed] is definitely the fans. I really felt it today; the support took me aback a little bit because I wasn’t expecting it so much but I was loving every second of it and it pushes you through the tight moments and I was so happy to interact with them as well.”
- - -
Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 Australian Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement