MELBOURNE — For a moment, the ghosts of 2024 seemed to swirl around Court 3 at Melbourne Park. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion whose career has since been a rollercoaster of injury and expectation, found herself down an early break to a talented, fearless qualifier. But the story that unfolded over the next hour was not one of fragility, but of a newfound composure. A dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the Australian Open first round was secured not with a dramatic flourish, but with a steady, controlled authority. The secret to this calm? A riverside walk and a well-timed nap.
A Shaky Start and a Swift Reset
Stepping onto the court for her first Grand Slam match since last year’s Australian Open, Raducanu admitted to feeling the inevitable nerves. Sawangkaew, the world No. 145 playing in her first major main draw, had nothing to lose and swung freely, breaking the Briton’s serve in the opening game. “I think I started a bit tentatively,” Raducanu conceded in her post-match press conference. “My first service game, I was missing by really small margins. She came out firing and didn’t miss a ball.”
Yet, the panic that might have once seeped in was conspicuously absent. Raducanu immediately broke back, settling into a rhythm from the baseline. She began to use her superior power and depth to push Sawangkaew around, forcing errors from the Thai player’s previously reliable forehand. The key, Raducanu revealed, was a conscious decision to simplify her game. “I just told myself to make first serves, make first returns, and just get into the points. I knew my game would be better than hers if I managed to get a grip on it.”
The Unconventional Pre-Match Preparation
The composure displayed on court was forged in the quiet hours before the match. In a stark contrast to the intense, hyper-focused routines of many elite athletes, Raducanu’s day was defined by deliberate relaxation. “I woke up and I went for a little walk by the Yarra River,” she said. “It was really nice. I just listened to my music, had a coffee, and just strolled.” This wasn’t about scouting or psyching herself up; it was about clearing her mind.
The second part of her recipe was even more telling. “Then I went back, had some lunch, and had a nap. I woke up at 2 p.m. for a 3 p.m. match. I think that’s the perfect timing.” For an athlete whose last two years have been disrupted by multiple surgeries—on both wrists and an ankle—this focus on physical and mental restoration is a significant shift in philosophy.
A New Approach to the Grind
This relaxed pre-match ritual is symbolic of Raducanu’s broader approach after her eight-month hiatus from the tour. She is consciously managing the load, both physically and psychologically. Her current priorities, which have clearly paid dividends in her movement and confidence on court, include:
- Listening to her body: With a rebuilt team, the emphasis is on sustainable training loads to prevent the stress fractures that plagued her past.
- Embracing simplicity: Stripping back the noise and focusing on core tennis fundamentals, rather than overcomplicating tactics.
- Valuing recovery: Understanding that rest—like a strategic nap—is as crucial as time on the practice court.
This mindset was evident in her performance. After the initial blip, Raducanu’s game flowed. She served solidly, landed 78% of her first serves in the second set, and dictated play with her backhand, a shot that looked particularly potent. “I’m very happy to have come through,” she said, a note of quiet satisfaction in her voice.
Dominance Sealed with a Statement
The second set was a demonstration of Raducanu’s increasing control. She broke Sawangkaew’s serve in the first game and never looked back. Her movement, a key concern after ankle surgery, was fluid and assured. She chased down drop shots and transitioned smoothly from defense to offense. At 4-1, she produced a stunning running forehand passing shot that brought the crowd to its feet, a moment of pure quality that underscored her difference in level.
Sawangkaew, to her credit, continued to fight, saving two match points on her own serve at 1-5. But serving for the match, Raducanu was clinical. She sealed the victory on her third match point with a deep return that forced a final error from her opponent. The victory was comprehensive, wrapped up in one hour and 22 minutes. “I think I played some really good points at the end,” Raducanu assessed. “I’m just pleased to get through the first one.”
Looking Ahead with Quiet Confidence
The win sets up a tantalizing second-round clash with China’s Wang Yafan, a player Raducanu has never faced. More importantly, it marks a successful return to the Grand Slam stage for the 21-year-old. The performance was a statement of intent, not through brash declarations, but through a mature, controlled brand of tennis. “I think just having low expectations of myself is quite important,” she reflected, a lesson hard-learned.
The narrative around Emma Raducanu has often been one of pressure, of wondering if the fairytale of Flushing Meadows was a peak too soon. Yet, in Melbourne, a different picture is emerging. It’s one of an athlete learning to manage the marathon of a professional career, finding peace by the river and power in rest. As she walked off Court 3, the victory was a testament not to a single moment of genius, but to a day built on calmness—a calmness that translated directly into a dominant, and deeply encouraging, win.