Emma Raducanu is poised to make her mark at the Australian Open as she confidently returns to the court after recovering from a back spasm. The 22-year-old British tennis star had to withdraw from her warm-up tournament in Auckland due to a back issue, but she has since ramped up her training at Melbourne Park.
In a pre-tournament update, Raducanu clarified that the spasm, which occurred while she was training in London, caused some disruption to her preparations. “I’ve been feeling good,” she stated, noting that her recent training block has been productive. “Coming back on the court, adapting to the conditions here, has been good for me. Now I feel good and I feel ready to give it my best here.”
Reflecting on the incident that led to her back issue, she explained, “One morning I was warming up, bent over to tie my laces, and I had a spasm. It took a while to clear. I had to miss quite a bit of training before I left and wasn’t able to play Auckland.”
This marks yet another challenge for Raducanu, who played only ten matches after Wimbledon last year due to a foot injury. However, her participation in the Billie Jean King Cup saw her return to form with three wins out of three, fueling her confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
Raducanu feels ready to take on top competitors, having practiced against high-caliber players. “I’m feeling like I’m holding my own more than okay in those instances and practices. I feel pretty good with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court,” she remarked, expressing her intention to be a formidable opponent.
As the draw unfolds, Raducanu finds herself up against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. “It’s a tricky draw, of course,” she acknowledged. “Being unseeded, you can play any top opponent. I’m coming in with the underdog mentality.”
In a bid to enhance her physical resilience, Raducanu has enlisted the help of renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura this season. She emphasizes that improving athletic performance is a gradual process, stating, “I do already feel a difference when I step on the court. I feel reactive and explosive.”
In the meantime, British tennis is also represented by Katie Boulter, who is the 22nd seed and aiming for a spot in the top ten. Following a competitive match against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek at the United Cup, Boulter expressed her belief in her abilities, stating, “I believe that number is by my name for a reason. I want to move it higher and higher.”
Boulter will open her campaign against Canadian Rebecca Marino, establishing a promising start to her Australian Open journey.
Stay tuned for more updates on ECNETNews as these remarkable athletes take to the court and compete for glory at the Australian Open.
