MELBOURNE — Just days after a grueling, three-set defeat in the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, Emma Raducanu has arrived in Melbourne with her focus squarely on the Australian Open. The 2021 US Open champion will begin her campaign at the year's first Grand Slam on Sunday night, a scheduling decision that has drawn comment from the 21-year-old Brit as she navigates a challenging return to the tour following multiple surgeries.
Raducanu's 6-0, 6-1 victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse in Auckland was a promising start, but her subsequent 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-1 loss to second seed Elina Svitolina—a match lasting two hours and 53 minutes—highlighted both her fighting spirit and the physical toll of such battles so early in the season. The quick turnaround to Melbourne Park, where she faces American Shelby Rogers in the first round, presents a significant test of her resilience and fitness.
A Brutal Schedule and a Philosophical Outlook
Speaking to the press at Melbourne Park, Raducanu addressed the demanding schedule head-on. "It was pretty brutal, to be honest," she said of the Auckland experience. "I think I played three hours on Thursday night, finished at 11:30 p.m., and then had to travel the next day. It's just part of the job." Her matter-of-fact tone underscored a newfound maturity, acknowledging the grind of the professional circuit without dwelling on it as an excuse.
Raducanu’s first-round match is scheduled for Sunday evening on Court 1573, a slot that typically sees play extend late into the night. When asked about the timing, she displayed a pragmatic attitude. "I don't really mind. I'll be ready whenever," she stated. "I think it's actually nice to have a day to prepare. I landed Friday, so Saturday, Sunday, two days to get ready is enough."
The Long Road Back from Surgery
The broader context of Raducanu's Australian Open participation is her successful return from surgeries on both wrists and one ankle, which sidelined her for eight months and caused her ranking to plummet outside the top 300. Her protected ranking of 103 allowed her direct entry into the main draw, bypassing the qualifying rounds that she had to navigate at events last autumn. This period away from competition, she suggests, has been transformative.
"I think that the time away, I definitely appreciated things a lot more," Raducanu reflected. "I'm just enjoying being on the court, enjoying working with my team, and just trying to get better." This perspective marks a stark contrast to the whirlwind pressure that followed her historic, fairytale run in New York as a qualifier.
Her current approach is methodical and process-oriented. The goals, for now, are less about rankings and titles and more about foundational progress. "I'm just looking forward to starting the season healthy," she emphasized. "I think I'm in a really good place. I've got a great team around me. We're all just really positive and looking forward to what's ahead."
First-Round Focus: Shelby Rogers Awaits
The immediate challenge is Shelby Rogers, a powerful American player also on the comeback trail from a long-term knee injury. Rogers holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage, with both wins coming in 2022. Raducanu, however, is viewing the match as a fresh start and an opportunity to apply the lessons from Auckland. "I think I can take the positives from last week," she said.
Key areas she highlighted for improvement include:
- Serving Consistency: Building a more reliable first serve under pressure.
- Point Construction: Being more proactive and dictating rallies earlier.
- Physical Stamina: Managing energy levels across potentially long matches.
- Emotional Control: Maintaining composure during momentum swings.
"I played a lot of good tennis, but I think there are things to clean up, for sure," Raducanu assessed. "It's just about getting back into the rhythm of playing matches, that intensity, that consistency." The match against the experienced Rogers will be a direct measure of how quickly she can implement those adjustments.
A New Chapter with a New Team
Integral to Raducanu's refreshed outlook is her new coaching setup. She is now working with childhood coach Nick Cavaday, who has taken over as her full-time lead coach. The familiarity and stability this partnership provides appear to be a calming influence. "We have a great relationship. He's known me since I was a kid," she explained.
This continuity extends to her broader support team, which she has kept intentionally small and trusted. The aim is to create a sustainable environment that prioritizes her long-term development and well-being over short-term results—a lesson hard-learned from the chaotic period following her US Open triumph.
Conclusion: Patience and Perspective in Melbourne
As Emma Raducanu prepares for her Sunday night opener under the lights of Melbourne Park, the narrative surrounding her has subtly shifted. The conversation is less about a meteoric rise and more about a deliberate, courageous rebuild. The "brutal" schedule she faced in Auckland is merely the first of many physical and mental hurdles she will need to clear on this journey back.
Her comments reveal a player who has gained valuable perspective during her forced absence. The pressure, while still immense, seems to be internally reframed as privilege. "I'm just happy to be here, happy to be competing," she reiterated, a simple statement that carries the weight of her recent struggles.
The Australian Open will be a critical barometer for Raducanu's progress. A deep run would announce a stunning return to the sport's upper echelon, but even a hard-fought first-week performance, built on the solid tennis she displayed in Auckland, would signal that her process is working. For now, Emma Raducanu is speaking a language of patience, preparation, and gratitude—a far cry from the frenzy of Flushing Meadows, but perhaps the exact foundation required for the next chapter of her compelling career.