Raducanu ‘in a really fit place’ as grasscourt season begins

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu said she no longer has any doubts when she hits the ball after recovering from surgery on both wrists and an ankle, adding that she is “in a really fit place” as she begins the grasscourt season.

The 21-year-old, who was sidelined for eight months last year, competed in Stuttgart and Madrid during the clay swing but withdrew from the qualifying rounds for the French Open. Raducanu had not been awarded a wildcard for the claycourt Grand Slam and said she withdrew to manage her workload and fitness.

The Briton said on Monday she now felt really strong and was excited to be back.

“Body-wise, physical-wise, I feel really healthy,” Raducanu said. “I’ve done amazing work with my trainer over the last few months, since surgery. I’m in a really fit place.”

Raducanu first grabbed the spotlight when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2021 and made her big breakthrough by winning the US Open later that year.

“My wrists are actually in a better position than ever,” she said. “I don’t need to rush and try to win the French Open, it wasn’t my goal this year. “I had to prioritize where I wanted to target and it was just a good block to get some physical work done.”

Wimbledon begins on July 1.