Emma Raducanu hoping to play ‘as many matches’ before the end of the 2024 season
Emma Raducanu has spoken about her excitement for a busy Asian swing, with the Brit hoping to play ‘many matches’ before the end of the 2024 season.
Raducanu returned to winning ways yesterday in Seoul after beating World No.48 Peyton Stearns, 7-6(4) 7-6(5).
While it was a straight sets victory for Raducanu, it was anything but straightforward with the match lasting two hours and 46 minutes.
The 2021 US Open champion made her debut at the Korea Open two years ago, where she reached the semi-finals, but has never played a full Asian swing before.
And Raducanu spoke in her post-match press conference about why she is looking forward to playing in Asia and particularly China, where her mother is from.
“This is my first time playing in the Asian swing, and it is also the time I look forward to the most during the season. It may be because of my birth, but I am especially looking forward to playing in China for the first time,” explained Raducanu. “Because of the environment I grew up in, the atmosphere here is comfortable, and I think it will be an advantage for me. I want to play as many games as I can.”
The 21-year-old continued, “Also, I played in the Korea Open for the first time two years ago, and I remember the hospitality I received at that time, and this week is my favourite week of the year. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t show you a good game at the time, but I really like Korean food, so I’m enjoying my time in Seoul, eating until I’m sick of it.
“I also like Korean dramas, and I enjoy watching them during my break. But the plot always seems similar, so I feel like I already know what’s going to happen next. Still, they’re perfect for killing time.”
Raducanu has played a limited schedule in 2024, skipping Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics, but has revealed that she is hoping to play as many matches as possible in the remainder of this season.
“I think the rest of the year, as long as I’m healthy I’m going to try and finish the season and play as many matches as I can,” said Emma Raducanu. “It’s something I’m really light on since the grass through the [Washington] D.C. period. I’ve not played many points, even in practice.
“So today, as grueling as it was, I think I had three hours of match experience which can only aid me going into the next few weeks. For me now, I just want to play matches and, in the meantime, do a little bit of work on my game where I can.”
And Raducanu’s confirmed schedule supports this, being entered into upcoming tournaments in Beijing, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, before heading to Malaga to represent Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Team GB are primed and ready to light up the #BJKCup Finals in Malaga! 🔥#BJKCup┃@GainbridgeSport pic.twitter.com/syNlBUnrDx
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 16, 2024
Before this, the current World No.70 will play her second round match at the Korea Open against eighth seed Yue Yuan tomorrow.
Inside the baseline…
It was a very resilient performance from Emma Raducanu, who was not necessarily playing her best tennis the whole time but raised her level for the important moments. Raducanu has received a lot of criticism for her lack of matchplay this year, but it is understandable given her recent injury woes and having three surgeries last year. However, it is great to hear that she is planning to play a busier schedule to finish the year, as she approaches a return to the top 50 in the WTA rankings.
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