Tennis news: Emma Raducanu ready to return after tournament absences
British number one Emma Raducanu has pulled out of three tournaments this year to focus on her health - but now says she feels ‘much better’.
Tennis superstar Raducanu is set to play in this week’s Italian Open after previously pulling out of events in Miami, Linz and Madrid as a result of post-viral symptoms.
This news has been received with excitement by British tennis fans, writes Sports News Blitz’s Abbie Latymer.
Lessons to recover
The 23-year-old has not played a professional match or tournament since the Indian Wells in early March; a match that she had lost.
She had contracted a virus in February and suffered post-viral symptoms, including cough and chest discomfort. Many people believe this explains her defeat in Dubai.
Under the spotlight
In the aftermath of the loss, Raducanu received a lot of media criticism, something she unfortunately is not new to.
Raducanu has been labelled ‘one hit wonder’ and many articles insinuate that her Grand Slam triumph was merely ‘fluke’.
Research consistently shows that media criticism negatively impacts athletes’ mental health and performance.
It distracts players during games; instead of focusing on strategy and the present match, they become preoccupied with worry and anxieties about what other people think about them and the consequences of failure.
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History shows stepping back can push her forward
Taking a step back and a break from games has benefited Raducanu in the past.
Before her 2021 Grand Slam Victory, Raducanu chose to withdraw from her Wimbledon fourth-round match against Australian tennis player, Ajla Tomljanović.
Her reason for withdrawing included struggling from breathing difficulties and exhaustion, symptoms linked to both physical strain and mental pressure.
That pause enabled her to have time to reset, regroup and produce one of the most extraordinary Grand Slam runs in modern history.
Her current break may prove similarly restorative.
Rebuilding her game behind the scenes
Since March, Raducanu has been training informally with Mark Petchey and Alexis Canter, reportedly “tapping into a few people” to refine her gameplay and relight her spark.
Recent news has revealed that she temporarily reunited with former coach, Andrew Richardson in the past fortnight.
Richardson was the coach who helped her achieve her 2021 Grand Slam Victory.
Raducanu chose to travel to the Spanish Ferrer Tennis Academy, where Richardson is based, to practice her European Clay ahead of her upcoming tournament.
While it is known they worked together during her time in Spain, there is no evidence to confirm that Richardson will continue to coach Raducanu during the Italian Open or beyond.
All eyes on Rome: What comes next
The Italian Open runs from April 28 to May 17, with the main draw beginning on May 6.
Raducanu is expected to face either Argentinian Solana Sierro or a qualifier in her opening match.
Should she advance, she could compete against French Open champion, Coco Gauff, and Madrid Open finalist, Mirra Andreeva, in following rounds.
If history is any indication, Raducanu’s step away from the pitch could ultimately be the pull that propels her forward this week and offer the clarity and confidence she has been seeking.
