Emma Raducanu makes tough admission as British tennis star opens up on injury struggles
Emma Raducanu has opened up on her struggles with injuries following Jack Draper’s absence from the Australian Open.
Draper has played only one match since Wimbledon because of bone bruising in his left arm and did not recover in time for the start of this season.
The 24-year-old had been due to team up with his fellow British No1 Raducanu at the United Cup to start 2026 before heading to the Australian Open.
He is instead planning to make his return at next month’s Davis Cup tie against Norway.
Raducanu, 23, empathised with Draper, having sat out three grand slams, including Wimbledon, in 2023 after she underwent operations on both wrists and one ankle.
She said: “It’s really difficult. For me, when I missed grand slams, I couldn’t watch them because it was too raw, too tough to watch.
“I’m not sure what he’s up to but I found it really difficult so it can’t be easy.
“But I know just working on the right things day to day, just trying to stay in your zone, your bubble, is the best way to get through it.”
Emma Raducanu has opened up about her struggles with injuries
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Raducanu was also in doubt for the Australian Open after a foot problem throughout pre-season left her playing catch-up.
She recovered just in time and overcame a slow start to win her opening match in Melbourne against Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
Speaking further on her experience with injury recovery, Raducanu said: “I think the hardest thing is moving, seeing the ball.
“It’s something that you take for granted when you’ve played a few matches and you’re in a good momentum, you seem to just read the ball earlier, read the game, read the situations and play the big points better.”
Raducanu empathised with Draper, having sat out three grand slams, including Wimbledon, in 2023 after she underwent operations on both wrists and one ankle
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She added: “When you haven’t played, you feel two steps slow, and getting that movement back and anticipation is very difficult.”
Raducanu was unimpressed by being scheduled in the night session on Sunday for her opening match.
After prevailing, she now has two days to prepare for a second-round clash with Russian-turned-Austrian Anastasia Potapova on Wednesday.
They have not contested a match before but Raducanu has been aware of Potapova’s talent for a long time.
Raducanu was also in doubt for the Australian Open after a foot problem throughout pre-season left her playing catch-up
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She said: “I remember watching Anastasia all through juniors. I was the year below her.
“She was always the player to watch and beat through juniors. She’s been very high ranked, as well, in the pros. A big hitter. I know it’s going to be a really tricky one. I need to just gather my strength and prepare as best as possible.”
In the crowd, meanwhile, will be Raducanu’s super fan James Bray, who the 23-year-old thanked after he nicknamed her ‘Raddo’ and cheered her on loudly against Sawangkaew.
He told the Herald Sun: “Her agent reached out, I’ve got tickets to the next match, so I’m hoping she makes the grand slam final because I would love to go to Rod Laver Arena.”
