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Emma Raducanu Indian Wells 2021
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Emma Raducanu in a ‘positive mind space’ ahead of her season finale in Austria


Emma Raducanu insists she is in a ‘positive mind space’ as she breaks into the Top 20 for the first time ahead of her season finale at the Upper Austria Linz tournament.

The British champion has had a challenging couple of months after her US Open triumph, losing her opener at Indian Wells before earning her first two WTA victories in Cluj, Romania.

Raducanu, who is still without a coach after splitting with Andrew Richardson after her US Open triumph, said that breaking into the Top 20 is ‘cool’ but means little as she looks to end her 2021 campaign on a high.

“It’s cool but I haven’t really looked at seedings. I never looked at seedings even when I was unranked, playing a seed in a tournament. It meant nothing to me so I’m sure it means nothing to the other players,” said the 18-year-old.

“It’s just as much motivation if not more to take out a seed. I just really want to have fun this week and try and enjoy it because it’s the last one of the season and I feel like I’m really in a positive mind space.”

Raducanu is set to face Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu on Tuesday, a player who has rapidly improved under British coach Iain Hughes, who previously worked alongsideĀ Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic.

“I’m happy that I get the chance to play her (Raducanu) and I will just try to enjoy it and play my tennis,” said the 20-year-old Wang.

“Girls’ tennis has always been not a huge gap between players that are in the Top 20 or Top 100, or even 150. I think it’s just a few matches that gives you confidence.

“I think everybody can play so there are no easy matches and everybody can win if you believe in yourself and believe in your shots.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.