Emma Raducanu reveals her clay-court plans as she works on “feeling a bit more comfortable” on the surface
Emma Raducanu won just two clay matches last season, and she's seeking to beat the record at the Italian Open.
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Emma Raducanu (Image via LTA)
Emma Raducanu has always prioritized the hard-court and grass-court seasons above the clay-court swing. The Brit has also struggled on clay and failed to reach the semi-finals of a clay 1000-level tournament. But ahead of the Italian Open, she has made up her mind to embrace the challenges that come with playing on the surface.
Raducanu has made no secret of her discomfort on clay courts. Last year, she shockingly pulled out of the French Open after failing to gain a wildcard into the tournament. Also, she didn’t feature at the Italian Open last season. Now, she’s showing more eagerness to play on clay after picking up a win in Madrid.
The British star won her opening match before losing to Marta Kostyuk in three sets in the second round. Despite the loss, the 21-year-old played some great tennis and showed that she has made progress on clay. She also got back into the world’s top 50 after the Madrid Open and has a chance of extending her progress in Rome.
During an interview at the Italian Open, she revealed that she wanted to use the clay season as a good preparation for the grass-court season, which starts in June. She also added that she feels more comfortable playing on clay than before.
It’s a good challenge for my game. I want to work on doing things differently to try and bridge the gap between where I am now and where I want to be. I’m going to use the season to take pressure off, try and be more aggressive, and play the way I want to more so, so it can help me on the other surfaces. I had some time off after Madrid and I’m working on feeling a bit more comfortable on this surface.
Emma Raducanu said via Sky Sports
Raducanu will be in the main draw of the French Open after missing out last season due to her ranking position. The former World No.10 has a chance of earning more points at the Italian Open, which will boost her ranking position.
Emma Raducanu approaching the Italian Open with “a fresh start”
Emma Raducanu began the year with a poor run of form. After reaching the third round of the Australian Open, she won just one match in five tournaments in the women’s circuit. It was at the Miami Open that she turned her season around and won four matches in a row. During the aforementioned interview, she revealed that she is approaching the clay season with a fresh start.
It is exciting, it does feel like a bit of a fresh start with the way I am approaching everything, with the people I have around, with my mindset and outlook. I feel more optimistic; I feel pretty positive about things going forward. I’m just taking it day by day and trying to stay consistent.
Emma Raducanu said
Raducanu was heavily criticized for skipping the Open de Rouen ahead of the Madrid Open after reaching the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. She will hope to prove her critics wrong at the Italian Open.
Emma Raducanu’s draw at the Italian Open
Emma Raducanu is yet to discover her first-round opponent at the Italian Open. It will be against a qualifier and until the qualifying rounds of the tournament ends on Tuesday. However, if she does prevail in the opening match, she could then face World No.20 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round.
Raducanu defeated Alexandrova at the Australian Open in January, but the Russian defeated the British star at the Qatar Open the following month. It will be their first meeting on clay. Alexandrova has a better experience of the surface as she recently reached the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open.
Meanwhile, Raducanu, who was knocked out of the Madrid Open in the second round is projected to play Coco Gauff in the round of 16. It will be her biggest opponent before the last eight of the competition.
Also Read: Italian Open 2025: Where to watch, live streaming, broadcast details, and schedule
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