Usually when a player is troubled by physical issues their confidence also takes a hit but Emma Raducanu says the opposite has happened to her.
The US Open champion has endured a turbulent start to 2022 where she has only managed to win two out of seven matches played on the WTA Tour. Perhaps most concerning is that four out of her five losses were against players ranked outside the top 50. In fact, the last time she managed to achieve back-to-back wins was in October when she reached the quarter-finals of the Transylvania Open.
Part of the explanation for Raducanu’s lopsided results can be linked to a series of unfortunate physical setbacks she has suffered in recent weeks. After testing positive for COVID-19 last December during the off-season, at the Australian Open she suffered with a hand blister that affected her play. A couple weeks later at the Guadalajara Open she was forced to retire during her first round match due to a hip injury. Then in Indian Wells, Raducanu told reporters she was troubled by a stiff back.
The latest issue for the injury-stricken Brit occurred over the weekend in the Billie Jean King Cup, where she embarked upon new territory in her career. It was the first time she had played in the team event, as well as the first time she had played a professional match on the clay. Raducanu impressed on the opening day with a 7-5, 7-5, win over Czech Republic’s Tereza Martincova. However, on the second day she was thrashed 6-1, 6-1, by former French Open finalist Markéta Vondroušová. Britain ended up losing the tie 3-2 to the Czech team.
Following her heavy loss to Vondrousova, Raducanu revealed that she was suffering from a foot blister which hampered her movement on the court. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old remains confident that she is heading in the right direction.
“Of course it’s frustrating for sure, but in some sort of twisted way it gives me a sense of confidence and relief that I don’t think it’s my tennis that’s the issue,” Raducanu said.
“I think my tennis level is pretty good, it’s just about being able to repeat it or maintain it or not be hampered by any kind of physical issues and as soon as I sort all these out and keep building on my tennis level, then I think I will be able to put out good matches back to back.”
“I think it’s related to numerous things; I’m going to need to go and evaluate all my options in all sorts of feet scenarios as this has happened quite a few times and we need to nip it in the bud now,” she later added.
Anne Keothavong, who is the British Billie Jean King Cup captain, believes her compatriot needs to become more ‘robust’ in the coming weeks. This year is the first time Raducanu is playing a full season on the WTA Tour. She only broke into the world’s top 100 last September.
“It does take time for a player to get used to life on the tour and become more robust, and she certainly needs to become more robust. I don’t think that’s any secret and she’s working on it,” said Keothavong.
“The more she puts herself out there, the more she continues to test herself against the very best, she’ll figure out a way that works for her.”
Raducanu now faces a race against time to be ready for the prestigious Stuttgart Open which will begin on Monday. This year’s tournament, which is classed as a WTA 500, features seven top 10 players in the field.
“My physio Will is bathing my feet in surgical spirit every day – it’s definitely painful,” Raducanu told BBC Sport.
“We did it after the match. I was literally screaming but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and try and get ready for Stuttgart.”
