Emma Raducanu has rediscovered her passion for tennis, inspired by the energetic home crowds at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne. Fresh from a semi-final appearance in Nottingham, Raducanu is set to face Sloane Stephens, another former US Open champion, in an exciting first-round matchup on Tuesday. Radiating positivity in her pre-tournament interviews, Raducanu shared, “I’m really into it at the moment. I love the sport, and playing at home has reignited my enthusiasm and joy for tennis.”
Raducanu’s Revival in Tennis Passion
“I experienced this shift just before the Nottingham tournament,” she explained. “I’m profoundly grateful to feel this way again; it’s a sensation I’ve deeply missed over the past years. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this positive and enthusiastic about my tennis.”
Emma Raducanu’s journey on home turf is notably brief, with only 11 tour-level matches in the UK. Before this season, her only significant success on grass came in the summer of 2021, her first season as a professional player.
Just weeks after finishing her A-Levels, Raducanu entered Wimbledon largely unnoticed. She quickly made headlines by defeating Marketa Vondrousova – the then defending champion – in straight sets during the second round.
Following this, Raducanu clinched the US Open title a few months later, sparking an extraordinary surge of attention. It’s only in recent times, after a few quieter seasons, that the excitement surrounding her has started to wane.
Rediscovering Tennis Joy: Raducanu’s New Perspective
Asked if she ever discusses her US Open victory with other champions like Stephens, Raducanu denied it. “Winning a Grand Slam is unique,” she stated. “The way I won is unparalleled, so others can’t truly relate. Now, I play tennis because I love it, not because I need to.”
Raducanu expressed a deep affection for playing in the UK, a sentiment she missed last year due to double wrist surgery. “The joy is evident in my practices and daily life,” she noted, adding that her court demeanor is now more vibrant and cheerful.
Despite facing Stephens, a fellow Grand Slam champion, in the first round, Raducanu sees her as a beatable opponent given Stephens’ recent struggles on grass. Their last encounter was in Australia, shortly after Raducanu’s US Open win, where she triumphed in three sets.
Handling Pressure in Tennis
“There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs,” Sloane Stephens remarked crisply after their match. “I think she still has a lot to learn. While discussing in the locker-room, I thought, ‘We’ll see how she handles the comedown.'”
When asked about Stephens’ comments, Emma Raducanu acknowledged the truth in them, possibly reflecting on Stephens’ experience post-2017 US Open victory. “It’s undoubtedly a challenging match, and Sloane is a formidable opponent. The last time we played, she seemed a bit out of practice,” Raducanu observed.
Raducanu further highlighted her growth in handling the supportive yet pressurized environment provided by the British crowd. “Even in local tournaments, there’s pressure. But I see it as: ‘These people are here for me.’ It’s empowering,” she explained.
She emphasized a shift in focus from outcomes to process: “I’m less concerned about results now. I’m confident in my training and efforts, and I believe good things are bound to happen.”
Raducanu has also found her motivation in the love for the sport. “Finding my ‘why’ was crucial, and now, loving what I do puts me in the best position,” she concluded.
