Emma Raducanu has declared she is ready to compete against the best players at the Australian Open after recovering from back spasms.
The 22-year-old missed a warm-up game in Auckland last week due to a back problem, but has been training at Melbourne Park this week.
Raducanu revealed in a pre-tournament press conference that the problem was caused by cramps he suffered while training in London.
Image: Raducanu’s confidence has increased after a good performance in training this week
“I feel better,” she said. “I think the last 10 days have been a positive training session. It was good for me to be back on the court and adapt to the conditions here. I feel good now and ready to give my best here. I feel that
“One morning, as I was warming up and bending over to tie my shoelaces, I had a cramp. That’s really it. It took a while to heal. I’ve had cramps before. It usually heals within a few days. But this game was awkward for a few weeks and I had to miss a lot of training before leaving, so I wasn’t able to play in Oakland.”
It’s a further development for Raducanu, who last year played just 10 games after Wimbledon and missed two months with a foot injury before recovering to play for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup in November. It was a physical setback.
There she won all three matches, and her confidence was boosted by a strong performance in practice this week.
“I’ve played sets with top players,” she said. “I feel like I hold myself more than okay in those situations and in practice. I have a pretty good feel for my game. I’m looking forward to getting on the court for a game. I think he could be a good match for anyone, really. ”
Raducanu’s predicted draw
R1 – Alexandrova
R2 – Karl/Anisimova
R3 – Swiatek
R4 – Kalinskaya/Azarenka
Quarterfinals – Navarro/Sakkari
SF – Rybakina/Collins
F – Sabalenka/Gauff
Raducanu was handed a difficult draw with 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who was scheduled to play at Wimbledon last summer, with the 30-year-old withdrawing.
“Of course it’s a difficult draw,” Raducanu said of Tuesday’s contest. “She’s unseeded, so she can play against any top opponent. She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I’m going into this match with an underdog mentality. She’s been in this situation more times than I have. I am depressed.”
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Laurent Robson and Tim Henman discuss the impact of Ms Raducane’s new fitness trainer and how it can improve her physical resilience.
A new member of Raducanu’s team this season is renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, and the former US Open champion will help him improve her physical resilience and reach her potential. I hope that.
She doesn’t expect to see results overnight, saying, “I think building your body is an ongoing process. I don’t think it’s necessarily something you set a schedule for.”
“It’s like, ‘Okay, in a year I’ll be a top athlete.’ Even if you’re a top athlete, there’s always more you can do. But I think by the time you step out, you already feel the difference,” Court said.
“I feel like I’m pretty reactive and explosive, and I think that comes from the fact that my warm-ups aren’t necessarily warm-ups, they’re more like little sessions where I’m turned on. When you just feel like you’re ready for court.
“I don’t know how long it will take. I trust his work and his judgment.”
Bolter: There’s a reason that number is my name.
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Highlights of the epic showdown between Katie Boulter and Iga Swiatek in the United Cup
The female player representing Great Britain is 22nd seed Katie Boulter, who is hoping to continue her momentum.
Boulter is currently targeting a top-10 finish and showed how dangerous he can be to the big players by pushing world number two Iga Swiatek in last week’s United Cup.
“Iga is one of the best players in the game,” Boulter said. “I really felt like I was able to get over that line. I felt like I was very calm in that situation, which I don’t always feel when playing big players.”
“I think that kind of mindset helps us win games, and I truly believe we can do that.
“I believe this number is in my name for a reason, and I want to keep increasing it.”
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Boulter is guaranteed support at home following her engagement to Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur and begins her match against Canadian Rebecca Marino on Tuesday.
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