Emma Raducanu ‘very motivated’ for ‘challenge’ of debut clay-court season
Emma Raducanu remains “excited” and “motivated” ahead of her maiden clay-court season and is ready to face any challenges the red dirt may provide.
Having completed the first quarter of her first season on the WTA Tour, 19-year-old US Open ace Emma Raducanu will turn her attention to her first ever clay-court season.
After enduring a physically challenging start to the new season where she was blighted by multiple injuries, the British sensation will try to familiarise herself with the red dirt when she competes on Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team.
She will then compete on her first WTA Tour clay event at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
This comes after Raducanu added Porsche to her growing portfolio of brand partnerships. Porsche join Vodafone, Nike, Dior, Evian, British Airways and Tiffany’s and Co.
In an interview with the WTA website, Raducanu said “it’ll be challenging but I’ve already won matches against some of these players in my short experience on tour.
“It’d be very motivating to add to my wins against the best players in the world, especially on clay where I have little experience as there aren’t really any clay courts in the UK.
“This clay season with the French Open as the highlight will be an interesting challenge, but one I’m looking forward to.”
Raducanu then expressed her enthusiasm and eagerness to begin her clay-court campaign, saying “I’m excited to play my first ever WTA tournament on clay. It’s nice that it’s the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
“I’ve been following the event since I was young and for me it was always the tournament where the winner gets a Porsche. It was unique and it has stayed on my mind.
“Since being on the tour, I have heard so many good things about the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. I know it’s one of the most popular tournaments on the calendar which is no wonder – who doesn’t want to win a Porsche?”
She is also welcoming towards any new challenges she will face on clay. She said “I think new challenges will always present themselves and you’ll always be resetting goals.
“Personally I’m very focused on the improvements I can make in my game and that motivates me a lot.
“It’s what I love. On court, you also have to always be concentrated and have to react instinctively to new situations and find quick solutions. One invests lots of time and effort preparing and practicing for marginal gains.”
? Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
? Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
? Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
? Watch >> How to enjoy ATP/WTA/Slam tennis on TV
? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
? Gambling >> Betway tennis odds
