Emma Raducanu faces a race against time to be fully fit for the Australian Open after revealing that she barely played tennis during the off-season.The 23-year-old was a late withdrawal from Britain’s opening match at the mixed team United Cup event in Perth against Japan on Sunday because of a foot problem that bothered her throughout pre-season.
On Monday Raducanu then lacked the sharpness and stamina required to make it five wins from five against Maria Sakkari, going down 6-3 3-6 6-1 to condemn Britain to defeat against Greece when playing her first match since October after she struggled with illness at the end of last season.
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Highlights of the United Cup match between Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari – her first competitive match in 83 days!
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“In my match, considering the circumstances, doubt whether I was going to play or not today, I’m pretty happy with how I was able to kind of play a match of three sets,” she said.”Considering I played five, six games in practice, it is a big effort for me.
“Really proud of how I kind of put myself out there, despite the scenario and situation. Also playing against Maria, who was playing really, really well. She also has a match under her belt, big win against Naomi [Osaka].
“To produce that level just by the circumstances, I have to be proud of even if it’s…
2026-01-06 11:58:00
