Emma Raducanu ‘told not to play’, reveals she could have missed Australian Open
After crashing out of the Australian Open to Danka Kovinic, Emma Raducanu revealed that some in her team urged her not to even play in the first place.
The Brit had troubles with blisters on her hand before the Australian Open even began, with the pain only exacerbated further in her second round match against the Montenegrin.
It clearly played a big role in the match as Raducanu required multiple medical timeouts and a huge adjustment in her play style in order to manage the injury, ultimately falling to a deserving Kovinic.
“I fought so hard just to come out to Australia and play here, so I just left it all out there on the court,” she told reporters following the loss.
“I think anyone that knows me knows I do not hit slice forehands.
“Probably hit more in that match than I have in two, three years. That was definitely one thing I learned, that nice slice forehand is not so bad and I have some sort of hand skills.
“That was a positive surprise, I would say, for myself. But also, I was just proud of how I kept fighting even in those situations where I was, I’m really struggling here, I can’t really do much, but I just kept hanging in there.”
History maker 🇲🇪@DankaKovinic upsets Emma Raducanu 6-4 4-6 6-3 to become the first player representing Montenegro to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.
🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis #AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/wauKCPG1KU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022
The slice forehands from Raducanu made for an unusual watch, especially in the modern game.
Many on social media commented on the move, including none other than the official WTA Twitter account.
Meanwhile, Kovinic makes history as the first player representing Montenegro to reach the third round of a Slam.
She faces two-time Major winner and 2018 Australian Open finalist Simona Halep next.
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