Emma Raducanu dampens hopes as she faces race to be fit for Australian Open

09 January 2023 , 13:33

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Emma Raducanu 'isn't trying to expect much' after an ankle injury threw her Australian Open into doubt (Image: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

British No. 1 Emma Raducanu is "not trying to expect too much" in her bid to be fit in time for the 2023 Australian Open.

The 20-year-old suffered an ill-timed roll of the ankle at the recent ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, which she blamed on the "very slippery" indoor court surface. With barely a week to go before the first major of the year gets underway on January 16, her chances of featuring in Melbourne looked bleak.

However, Raducanu is keeping an open mind on the matter as she awaits a proper prognosis regarding her ankle. Although that includes the possibility that she'll yet again be ruled out of contention due to a blow beyond her control.

"We'll see hopefully by Monday or whenever the tournament starts," said the 2021 U.S. Open champion a week out from the first Grand Slam of 2023. "We're just taking it a day at a time and not trying to expect too much at this point."

Raducanu was tied at one set apiece during her clash against Viktoria Kuzmova when the slip put an end to her tournament. The youngster was seen departing the court in tears, clearly frustrated another injury could curtail her 2023 prospects just days into the new year.

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It's typical this latest knock came not long after Raducanu highlighted 'staying healthy for longer' as one of her main goals for 2023. The Canada-born star has spoken glowingly of new trainer Jez Green, who has helped stars like Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev bounce back from injuries and ailments in the past.

Emma Raducanu was hurt after rolling her ankle on a "very slippery" indoor surface at the ASB Classic in Auckland (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

"It was really unfortunate because I was feeling great about my season and I was feeling really good with the preparation I did physically," she continued. "I just had an accident on the court, I don't know what I could have done to really prevent that."

Recovery time for ankle sprains can vary wildly, with lower-stress injuries often taking weeks to heal. However, a higher-degree sprain could require several months of recovery, though the severity of Raducanu's injury remains uncertain.

Despite so much hope heading into the New Year, it would be difficult to not feel downtrodden about 2023 given how Raducanu's season has started. But the British gem appears to be succeeding so far in keeping a level head in regards to her chances of participating in Melbourne.

Tom Sunderland