Emma Raducanu says she can finally confirm that she is back to feeling herself in every way possible as the British tennis star admits in her US Open return that she lost herself a bit after a historic victory that completely changed her life.
As probably everyone knows extremely well, Raducanu pulled off something that had never been done before – she became the first-ever qualifier male or female to win a Grand Slam. Now exactly three years since then, the 21-year-old Briton is set to make her third appearance at Flushing Meadows.
But unlike in 2022 – the year when her US Open title defense ended in the first round – Raducanu is now feeling fully healthy after having three successful surgeries last May. And since returning to tennis healthy and avoiding major injuries and setbacks, Raducanu has been looking happier on the court and that has positively translated to her game.
“I just play so much better when I’m happy and putting my personality out there. I think I’ve been playing a lot freer in the last month. I have been expressing myself, I’ve been fighting and there has been a lot of passion, I’ve been feisty. And that’s me. I’m really tenacious and gritty,” Raducanu said on the latest episode of the Sky Sports Editions.
After winning the 2021 US Open in such a way, Raducanu went from a promising teenager to a tennis superstar and one of the most popular players. And for Raducanu – who was 18 at the time – it was hard to navigate everything because her stardom basically happened overnight.
However, the biggest issue was the constant criticism and scrutiny that was coming Raducanu’s way when she failed to keep up with great results and big wins after becoming a Slam champion. But since then, the 21-year-old Briton has developed thick skin and she has learned how to deal with certain things in a much better way and just block them out.
“I would say I’ve fluctuated. I think in the past I was always playing a role and sometimes I wasn’t enjoying certain moments freely and carefree. I’m a lot better now at just expressing myself,” Raducanu admitted.
Raducanu feeling ‘carefree’ and says ‘a real fire’ is back
After having multiple surgeries last year to repair the wrist and ankle issues that were bothering her for quite some time, Raducanu had a lot of free time although she was limited at the beginning since had to use a wheelchair and crutches. But after everything settled and she was able to move again, she went on a trip to China to explore the culture there.
Also, the Briton played some piano and did art. That were just some of the hobbies and interests that the 21-year-old explored during her time away from tennis. And all of that helped Raducanu in some ways.
“I would consider myself an artist, because even playing tennis, we’re pretty much entertainers. It’s about our creativity on the court, how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and setbacks – also what shots and geometry we can use on court. And it is more than just tennis. It’s almost like playing the piano when we’re on the court, it’s how we express ourselves,” Raducanu explained.
And now, Raducanu’s joy has fully returned but also the desire and determination to get to where she wants to be.
“I just feel a real fire back and desire. I’ve got that spark back which is what I’m most pleased about,” Raducanu added.
Raducanu has learned to only to what she feels is the best for her
In the last couple of months, Raducanu raised some eyebrows after she decided against playing at the French Open and the Paris Olympics. When reflecting on that, Raducanu admitted that she felt pressured into playing some tournaments in the past or doing things a certain way.
But then came a moment when she realized it was only damaging her and that’s when she told herself she would only do what she and her team felt was the best for her.
I would say it’s pretty natural, after becoming a different person overnight almost. At such a young age, it’s easy to get caught up in it. At one point I was chasing, playing too many tournaments when I wasn’t ready, and just picking up niggle after niggle in every tournament, because I never really gave myself any time to do the training and the work. I think that’s something I did a lot better this year,” Raducanu said in June.
“Even though I might get challenged or questioned for not playing certain tournaments like the French Open or the Olympics, that is just part of doing things at my own speed and doing things how I want to rather than how everyone else thinks is best for me. Ultimately me and the close few people around me know what is best for me and my game.”
