Emma Raducanu bowed out of the Australian Open today but insisted she feels “more confident than ever” after a positive return from injury.
The 2021 US Open champion was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-4 by China’s Wang Yafan in a physical encounter during which she had her blood pressure checked before vomiting back in the locker room.
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Raducanu trusts in body again, says winning Australian Open return ‘just the beginning’
It was Raducanu’s fourth match back from wrist and ankle surgeries and she believes she has proved she is edging back towards her best level.
She said: “I’m very positive, very happy with how my body is.
“I feel good. Ankle feels good. I’ve completely got no fear with it. I feel more confident than ever. Just playing with no pain is something that for a while I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to do.
“I think there were doubts whether I would be able to make the Australian Open. I think that to be here is a bonus, a good starting point. I’m very grateful for that. I think that tidying up a bit of technique and things, also just getting used to playing matches outdoors, as well, because the conditions today were very windy.”
Yafan Wang secures her best-ever Grand Slam result, defeating Emma Raducanu 6-4 4-6 6-4 in a tick under three hours to reach the third round!#AUSOPEN • #AO2024 PIC.TWITTER.COM/OYGZK4ECJG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) JANUARY 18, 2024
Raducanu’s inability to claim one of seven break-point chances in the final set ended up proving crucial but she hopes her month Down Under will be the catalyst for a more positive 2024.
She added: “I am feeling good about my tennis. I need to spend more time on tour, spend more time training, and putting good weeks together. I am really looking forward to the next few months.”
