Emma Raducanu has mentioned she feels “reborn” as she prepares to make her comeback after ankle and wrist surgical procedures.
The 21-year-old former US Open champion was sidelined for a lot of 2023, however she is ready to return to motion on the Auckland Classic.
“I feel reborn in a way,” Raducanu advised reporters forward of her first-round match.
“I feel fresh, I feel ready, I feel happy and I feel excited.”
It shall be her first match since April.
Raducanu is now ranked 298th on the planet, having slipped from a profession excessive quantity 10 in July 2022.
But she mentioned she feels freed of the burden of her Flushing Meadows triumph in 2021, when she grew to become the primary participant within the Open period to win a significant after coming by means of qualifying.
“Overall, I’m feeling positive and lighter,” the Briton mentioned.
“I think that for two years after the US Open I felt maybe a bit more weight on my shoulders, but now I feel completely fresh.”
Raducanu has beforehand mentioned she “sometimes” needs she hadn’t gained the US Open as a “naive” 18-year-old.
Speaking to the Sunday Times in an article revealed final June, she mentioned: “I had to mature very quickly. When I won I was extremely naive.”
While Raducanu obtained a wild card in Auckland, she continues to be ready to see whether or not the identical will apply for the Australian Open.
Her protected rating – given to gamers who’ve been sidelined long run – is 103, that means she’ll seemingly need to qualify to play in the principle attract Melbourne.
But she mentioned that “doesn’t faze me”.
Raducanu is one in every of a number of tennis stars returning to motion after lengthy absences.
Rafael Nadal is making his comeback after virtually a 12 months out injured – in what could also be his final season as knowledgeable.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is taking part in on the Brisbane International, a warm-up match forward of the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, can be on the Brisbane International making ready for her first aggressive match since September final 12 months.
She is making a return after having a child.
The Australian Open, the primary Grand Slam of the season, begins on 14 January and ends on 28 January.
Source: information.sky.com”