12 January 2024 , 08:02
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Emma Raducanu believes she is “too good” not to get back to the top of the game as she prepares for her first grand slam match in a year.
The 21-year-old takes on American Shelby Rogers in the opening round of the Australian Open, having been off the tour for eight months after triple surgery on both wrists and her ankle. She impressed in her comeback tournament in Auckland last week.
But questions remain over whether Raducanu's body can handle the robustness and relentless nature of the WTA Tour. She pulled out of two exhibition matches this week with soreness following a long practice session on Monday.
However, speaking in Melbourne on Friday, she insisted: “Physically I feel good. I did a lot of good work in the off-season.
“But I think that, regardless of how good I may feel on the court on a particular day or in practice, I think to get that level of consistency is going to require more time. I’ve been doing the right work, doing it consistently. I just need to keep going more and more. But I feel good on court and in the gym.”
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Raducanu is currently ranked at 299 due in part to her large break, although she can enter tournaments using her protected ranking from before surgery of 103.
“I think success to me in the long-term is, for the rest of the year, to play a full season, to be healthy throughout, to be able to train consistent weeks,” she said. “I know my level is there, I just need to keep working on it to make it more consistent. I think that will come with time in the gym, time on court, being able to play the calendar, not thinking about ‘Will I have to pull out from this one, does that hurt’?
“I think my level, to be honest, is just too good not to come through if I put consistent work together.”
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2024 Australian Open (2024 Andy Cheung)Raducanu practised with British duo Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage on Friday and earned rave reviews from both.
“I think it’s absolutely incredible what she’s doing,” said Boulter. “To come back with that level already, it’s inspirational.
“You know how long it took me to get back (from injury). It really isn’t easy, trust me. It’s not something that you can just pick up like that. It seems like she’s playing very, very well. I’m sure it’s going to be a great year for her. I’m expecting big things.”
Raducanu has been without a coach for much of her recovery, but is in Melbourne with Nick Cavaday, who she previously worked with between the ages of 10 and 12.
Raducanu hopes it will prove a good fit, saying: “We’re just taking it how it goes. It’s been working really well so far.
“I, of course, hope to continue with him because I feel very comfortable with him. I know his sister (former British player Naomi Cavaday) really well because, like, everyone is from Bromley.”
Cavaday previously coached Dominic Inglot and Aljaz Bedene before heading up the Lawn Tennis Association’s national academy in Loughborough.
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