Emma Raducanu picks ‘Clay’ as her favorite surface with big ambitions for the upcoming Paris Olympics

Raducanu earns her biggest win of the season after defeating Caroline Garcia at the BJK Cup qualifying rounds.

Emma Raducanu picks ‘Clay’ as her favorite surface with big ambitions for the upcoming Paris Olympics

Emma Raducanu in action at the Billie Jean King Cup (Via Imago)

Despite facing criticism, Emma Raducanu remains confident that clay courts complement her playing style and is determined to pursue an Olympic medal in Paris this July. While she typically favors hardcourts, Raducanu is positive that competing in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying rounds will help her achieve success on clay.

For context, since Raducanu won the 2021 US Open, the Briton has been experiencing a poor run of form in addition to multiple injuries. This season, she returned to the WTA after being away for more than nine months. With only three wins in five tournaments this year, the No. 302 ranked player’s season got worse after she withdrew from the Miami Open due to injury.

Heading to the BJK Cup qualifying rounds, the former British No.1 seats as the underdog against French Caroline Garcia at the clay court in Le Portel. As the British team took questions at the 13th-Century Chateau d’Hardelot, Raducanu revealed that she is enjoying the clay court challenge.

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I think, in the future, it’s going to be a surface that will actually really suit me. Maybe I’m a little bit away from that right now. But I’m enjoying the challenge of it. And I think it’s great that we can be in this position, playing the French who are so dominant. Coming in on clay, I definitely think we’re the underdogs.
Emma Raducanu said

The 21-year-old also reiterated her wish to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, which will be played at the Roland Garros Court in July. Raducanu knows the challenges to qualify for the biggest sports event this year.

It’s not really in my control (on Paris dream). I mean, I know that playing this tie gives me eligibility. But it depends on so many factors, with rankings and wild-cards or whatever.
Emma Raducanu added

Post this interaction, Raducanu shockingly went on to earn her biggest win of the season, beating Garcia to help level the scoreline 1:1 for Britain at the BJK Cup.

Emma Raducanu finally proves her critics wrong with stellar win at BJK Cup

Emma Raducanu was in the British team for the BJK Cup for the first time in two years. There were not many rooting for her victory against an in-form Caroline Garcia who had defeated Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff in Miami last month. Raducanu, however, stunned the former French Open quarterfinalist 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 for her first top-30 win on clay.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Via Imago)

The British star finally proved her critics wrong with a stellar performance that saw her produce spectacular aggression and forehand in the match. In a rematch from last year’s qualifying match, France emerged victorious; this time, the teams were tied 1-1 after Friday’s matches. Katie Boulter defeated Clara Burel 7-5, 6-0 to give Britain a 2-1 lead on Saturday, followed by Raducanu’s victory in a nearly 3-hour match. Raducanu was up 5-2 in the third set, held two match points while serving at 5-3, and eventually won in a tiebreaker.

Raducanu underwent surgeries on both wrists and one ankle in 2023. After Saturday’s win, she dropped her racket on the court, bent over with her hands on her knees, and then stood up with a wide smile. She will be competing next at the Porsche Grand Prix.

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