Emma Raducanu has declared she is ready to compete against the best at the Australian Open after recovering from back spasms.
The 22-year-old withdrew from a scheduled warm-up tournament in Auckland last week due to what he described as back strain, but has been training at Melbourne Park this week.
Raducanu revealed in his pre-tournament press conference that the cause of the problem was cramps he suffered while training in London.
Raducanu’s confidence has been boosted by his good performance in practice this week.
“I felt good,” she said. “I think I’ve had some positive training over the last 10 days. It’s been good for me to be back on the court and adapting to the conditions here. I feel good now and I think I’m ready to give my best here.
“One morning, I was stretching out and I was bending over to tie my laces and I got a cramp. It was like that. It took a while to go away. I’ve had it before. It usually subsides within a few days. But this guy had a few minutes before he left. “I missed a week of training and couldn’t play against Auckland.”
Radukanu, who has only played in 10 matches since Wimbledon last year, missed two months with a foot injury before recovering in time to play in the Billie Jean King Cup in November and playing for England.
There, she won all three matches and performed well in practice this week, boosting her confidence.
“I’ve played set plays with some of the best players,” she said. “I feel like I’m holding myself well in those situations and practices. I’m pretty happy with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court. I think I can be a dangerous opponent.” For anyone, really.”
Laducano She earned a difficult draw against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.She was due to play at Wimbledon last summer, but the 30-year-old pulled out.
“Of course it’s a tricky draw,” Raducanu said of Tuesday’s contest. “Because she’s not seeded, she can play any top opponent. She’s an experienced player. I think she comes in with an underdog mentality. She’s been in these situations more times than I have.”
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Lauran Robson and Tim Henman discuss the impact of Raducanu’s new fitness trainer and how it could improve her physical resilience.
A new member of the Raducanu team this season is renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. The former US Open champion hopes it will help her improve her physical resilience and achieve her potential.
She doesn’t expect results overnight. “I think getting fit is a continuous process. I don’t think there’s necessarily a timetable.
“Like, ‘Okay, in a year, I’m going to be the best athlete I can be.’ Even if you’re the best athlete, there’s always something you can do better. But the moment you step on the court, you can already feel the difference. .
“I think I’m a pretty reactive and explosive person. I think it’s because the warm-up isn’t necessarily a warm-up, but it’s a bit more of a session. I feel like I’m ready to go right when I start the court.
“I’m not sure how long it will take. I trust his work and his judgment.”
Wolter: There’s a reason that number is in my name.
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Highlights of Katie Boulter and Iga Swiatek’s epic United Cup clash
Britain’s leading woman is 22nd seed Katie Boulter and looks set to continue her rise.
Wolter is now aiming to break into the top 10 and the world number two showed the leading players just how dangerous he can be by pushing Swatek all the way at the United Cup last week.
“Iga is one of the best in the game,” Boulter said. “I felt like I could really get over that line. I felt pretty calm in that situation, which is something I don’t always feel when I play big guys.”
“I think that mentality will help me win that game. I truly believe I can do it.
“I believe that number is my name. I want to push that number higher for a reason.”
Australia no. 1 Boulter, who has guaranteed home support after getting engaged to Alex De Minaur, begins her campaign against Canadian Rebecca Marino on Tuesday.
What’s happening on Sky Sports Tennis?
- ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – February 3-9
- Dallas Open (ATP 500) – February 3-9
- Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16
- IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16
- Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – February 10-16
- Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – February 3-9
- Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – February 3-8
- Qatar Total Energy Open (WTA 1000) – February 9-15
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – February 16-22
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