The 21-year-old insists she’s inspired being back at the scene of her remarkable New York triumph and won’t change her methods whatever the criticism
Things did not go as well as Emma Raducanu had intended when she first came back to New York two years ago to defend her historic victory from the qualifying rounds of the 2021 US Open. Her body was so fragile that an injury or illness seemed to be just around the corner after a year of intense attention and unwanted pressure. Raducanu lost without taking a set in the opening round, pathetically.
Having missed last year’s edition as she recovered from surgery, the 21-year-old returns to Flushing Meadows seemingly in a better position than since the aftermath of her victory.
“I feel very proud when I come here,” she says. “Walking past my photo every day. Walking past my name on the trophy every day. I think that is such an epic
accomplishment, and I finished it these past two weeks. I return with such a different perspective. Just pride and excitement, and it motivates me to work more. The British No. 2 has talked about enjoying tennis once more this summer, saying it had been tough for a while. These opinions are supported by the outcomes she has accumulated over the previous four months. Raducanu has advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon, made it to the quarterfinals of four of her previous six tour events, and played a crucial part in Great Britain’s victory against France in the Billie Jean King Cup on clay. She is steadily returning to the top 100 players in the world and playing excellent tennis.
