“I traveled here on a wheelchair,” Sealing a thrilling win at the Australian Open, Emma Raducanu opens up about the struggles of an injury-packed year

Emma Raducanu has secured a spot in the second round of the 2024 Australian Open where she will face Wang Yafan.

“I traveled here on a wheelchair,” Sealing a thrilling win at the Australian Open, Emma Raducanu opens up about the struggles of an injury-packed year

Emma Raducanu (Credits: Reuters)

Emma Raducanu recently opened up about her injury-ridden 2023 season after clinching a first-round victory at the Australian Open.

The Briton was missing in action for eight months last year after sustaining multiple injuries. Raducanu later tended to an extensive rehabilitation period after she went under the knife to get corrective surgery on both her wrists and ankles.

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Raducanu recently marked her return to the sport with her participation in the 2024 Australian Open. Her opening round clash witnessed her square off against Shelby Rogers. The 21-year-old settled the American’s challenge with straight sets and concluded their meet with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2.

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In a post-match press conference, Emma Raducanu highlighted her struggles throughout her injury-ridden season and remarked on how her recovery journey turned out. She said (via Melbourne Press/X): 

Well, the Emma who walked on court 12 months ago had a huge cyst removed about 10 days before, had to offload. I traveled here on a wheelchair. I only started hitting 3 days before the match. That whole process was a lot of stress. We weren't sure if I was going to be able to play here. So I think I was also in a way grateful to be able to have the chance to play. I didn't want to back out of the AO, so I did everything I could.
Emma Raducanu said after the game

She added:

But I think this year & now there's just a lot more calm. I think I'm more levelheaded. I think things around me have settled. I do feel better, and there's just less I'd say highs and lows around. It's just more of an equilibrium
Emma Raducanu added

Former British No. 1 Raducanu earned laurels after she clinched the 2021 US Open and later delivered laudable results on the WTA Tour.

Emma Raducanu addresses her long-term goals for the 2024 season at the Australian Open

British tennis star Emma Raducanu recently addressed that her long-term goal was to remain consistent in her performance and remain healthy throughout the 2024 season at a pre-tournament press conference at the Melbourne Slam.

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu (Source: Screengrab/ YouTube)

She said: 

Yeah, I think success to me in the long-term is, for the rest of the year, to play a full season, to be healthy throughout, to be able to train consistent weeks. I know my level is there, I just need to keep working on it to make it more consistent.
Emma Raducanu to the reporters ahead of the Australian Open

The 2021 US Open champion will next take on Wang Yafan as part of her second round encounter at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 18.

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