Emma Raducanu made her much-anticipated return to competitive tennis this week at the Madrid Open. After taking a literal mid-season break, Raducanu is looking to the off-season to hone that focus. She’ll be competing against Dutch player Suzan Lamens in her first match and counting down the hours to the contest. Scheduled for Wednesday, the match will be her first back on the circuit.
It was no surprise then that Raducanu decided to take the plunge. She was forced to pull out of the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers to recover and then battled through a taxing run to the quarter-finals in Miami, one requiring medical assistance. She is well aware that the tennis season is quite long. That’s why she’s opted for a block of training instead of an academic calendar. This new approach frees her up to concentrate more on her form and fitness, which has been an issue for her at recent majors.
A New Training Approach
Her unconventional coaching set-up Raducanu has struck up with former player Mark Petchey has worked wonders for Raducanu. She expressed optimism about this new direction, stating, “It’s pretty informal for now but is something that’s going really well.” This collaborative, supportive approach was new for her after a history of working with various coaches with little success.
Raducanu acknowledges her need for a recalibration. In her own words, “I’m still figuring things out: what works for me, what doesn’t. What gets the best out of me.” This reflective mindset underlines her commitment to improving her performance while recognizing the importance of taking the time needed to reset.
Challenges Faced
Even with her encouraging new approaches, Raducanu has been up against some mighty obstacles this year. Form and fitness questions have been a constant storyline on her road since claiming the 2021 US Open title. She shared her thoughts on managing expectations and performance, saying, “You hear a lot that people need matches and I say the same thing. Whether it’s in private philanthropy or public interest advocacy, matches are an important tool for engagement. Other moments where you just have to kind of recalibrate and find your way again, because the season’s so, so long.”
Ultimately, her decision to take a break from competition is yet another testament to the balance that she knows must be preserved in pro sports. The Madrid Open provides Raducanu with an opportunity to show her more vibrant approach. She’s hell bent on trying to get back on her track by defeating Lamens.
Looking Ahead
Senior Raducanu will be looking forward to facing Lamens. She said she intends to use what she’s learned in training, while taking a less-is-more approach. She noted, “I’ve realised now that less is more for me sometimes,” indicating a shift towards prioritizing quality over quantity in her training regimen.
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