Emma Raducanu told she had “lot to learn” in parting shot at Australian Open
Emma Raducanu was once told she had much to learn about on-court behaviour at the Australian Open.
While making her first appearance at Melbourne Park in 2022, the 21-year-old took on former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round. Four months after her shock run to the title at Flushing Meadows, the Brit defeated the American 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 to continue her Grand Slam win streak and advance to the next round.
While disappointed to lose the contest and make an early exit, Stephens complained about some of the former British No. 1’s actions during the contest. Raducanu shouted "Come on!" in response to driving a forehand winner down the line in the first point of the match.
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The 30-year-old, who will open her 2024 Australian Open campaign against home favourite Olivia Gadecki, said Raducanu "gave like a massive scream" and claimed she has plenty to understand about tennis etiquette.
“Because she is so young it's definitely a long road, so there's going to be a lot of ups and downs. I think she, yeah, has just a lot to learn," Stephens warned after the match. "I was talking to someone in the locker room, and I'm like, ‘We'll be here when she comes down.”
Stephens was referring to the wave of momentum and newfound fame Raducanu was experiencing after coming through the qualifiers and winning the 2021 US Open without dropping a set. Since that magical fortnight in New York, the former World No. 10 has not won a title and has also failed to make another final.
The gruelling nature of the WTA Tour also took its toll on the Bromley local as she suffered multiple injuries and recently returned from an eight-month layoff following double wrist and ankle surgery. But after playing two matches at the ASB Classic in New Zealand, Raducanu is happy to be back on tour and is ready to return to Grand Slam action.
Raducanu won the pair's only meeting so far at the 2022 Australian Open (Getty Images)“I feel good, I feel better and ready to take this second chance at being on the tour again,” she said. "It has been about myself toughening up, getting stronger. The first matches back after a long break are always going to have a toll on your body. They are a challenge because you're just not used to it, no matter how much you practice or do in the gym. It is completely different playing a live situation against a top player."
Raducanu will begin her Australian Open campaign against Shelby Rogers, who also has a lack of matches having not played since Wimbledon in July 2023. As she prepares for her opener in Melbourne, Eurosport pundit and former British No. 1 Laura Robson believes Raducanu has shown encouraging signs.
“To see her back and playing more aggressively, I thought was the biggest difference in Auckland, that she was absolutely trying to rip the ball, which is the sort of tennis that she played back at the US Open that she won,” the 2008 Wimbledon junior champion said. “So all positives, every time I see her she’s got a massive smile on her face. She’s happy to be here.”
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