Emma Raducanu shared some great news following her opening win at the Australian Open, confirming that her wrists have been doing great and that she has felt zero pain since returning to tennis.
Raducanu, 21, had surgery on both wrists in May. In the first week of the 2024 season, Raducanu returned to action in Auckland, where she beat Elena-Gabriela Ruse in a thriller before losing to Elina Svitolina in three sets.
On Tuesday, Raducanu made her Grand Slam return at the Australian Open. In her opener at Melbourne Park, Raducanu saw off former world No. 30 Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-2.
For Raducanu, it was her third match since coming back. Afterward in her press conference, Raducanu was asked how her wrists have been doing and if she is worrying or stressing about potential wrists issues.
“No, it’s amazing to be pain-free with the wrists. I honestly didn’t know if I’d ever get to this stage. Yeah, it just amazing to be playing pain-free. I had pain for so long. I was playing since before the US swing in 2022 all the way before surgery,” Raducanu said in her presser after her opening win at Melbourne Park.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Raducanu reveals: I was trying to make it until after Wimbledon
After struggling with wrist injuries throughout 2022, Raducanu’s wrist injuries followed the 2021 US Open champion in 2023 as well. Although Raducanu was troubled by wrist issues in Indian Wells, she was able to reach the round-of-16 before losing to Iga Swiatek.
But after Indian Wells, Raducanu suffered first-round exits in Miami and Stuttgart. The Stuttgart loss was particularly tough as Raducanu got crushed by Jelena Ostapenko by a 2-6 1-6 score. Less than two weeks after her Stuttgart loss, Raducanu announced she was having surgeries on both wrists and her right ankle.
Following her Australian Open win over Rogers, Raducanu said the wrists were causing her so much trouble that she “was not able to train and practice,” which led to her entering matches pretty much unprepared. Also, Raducanu revealed that her initial goal was to try to push it through her injuries until at least Wimbledon but just couldn’t.
“I was trying to make it until after Wimbledon, but I just couldn’t. Mentally I wanted to be in the best position possible every match. Yeah, so I just decided to. I think the time away made me very hungry. I’m just happy to be healthy again and pain-free,” Raducanu revealed.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Raducanu: Now I don’t have any fear or restrictions
At the time of undergoing three surgeries, Raducanu was 20. When Raducanu announced her decision, the general belief and verdict was that the Briton made the right decision because it was evident that she was heavily struggling on the court in her last few months. While some were fearing how Raducanu would look after three surgeries at 20, many thought that those surgeries would ensure the Briton avoids long-term injury problems.
On Tuesday, Raducanu gave an early verdict on her surgeries, pretty much describing it as a major success as the Briton revealed that she is not experiencing any fear of restrictions at the moment. However, Raducanu also highlighted that she continues to do rehab and things that help her wrists and ankle stay strong.
“Yeah, it’s paid off. I don’t have any fear or any restrictions on anything. I’ve passed all the return-to-play markers. My grip strength is higher than ever. It’s just about continuing doing the boring rehab, for example. Yeah, hopefully I’ll be in good shape,” Raducanu said.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
How Raducanu defeated Rogers?
The first break points of the match were seen in the fourth game, when Raducanu broke Rogers for an early 3-1 lead. Up by a break, Raducanu routinely held on to her serve for the remainder of the first set to clinch the opener.
After winning the first set, Raducanu also broke Rogers in the very first game of the second set. In the fifth game, Raducanu broke Rogers for the third time in the match and opened a comfortable 4-1 lead. Leading by a set and two breaks, Raducanu routinely closed out the match as the Briton realized her first match point in the eighth game.
Emma Raducanu and Shelby Rogers© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney
Following her win, Raducanu gave credit and a shout-out to the crowd who showed massive support for the 2021 US Open champion.
“Going out there today I think I was a little bit taken aback by just the support straight when I walked out. I think it was better than any year I’ve really had before here. It was just amazing to see all the signs, hear the support.It was pretty incredible,” Raducanu reflected.
In the Australian Open second round, Raducanu will be battling against Wang Yafan. When Raducanu and 29-year-old Wang meet, it will be their first meeting. Going into the match, Raducanu can be considered the favorite to beat world No. 94 Wang and reach her first Australian Open third round.
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