“I back myself to the hills” – Raducanu confident heading into Australian Open
The Brit plays 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round in Melbourne
Emma Raducanu, Australian Open 2022
Image Credit: Zuma / Psnewz
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu is feeling confident going into the first Grand Slam of the new season, despite a niggling injury which led to her pulling out of last week’s WTA event in Auckland.
The 22-year-old Brit will begin her fourth Australian Open campaign against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round in Melbourne and is feeling confident after a good training block.
“I’ve been feeling good. I think the last 10 days I’ve had a positive block of training,” Raducanu told the media in Melbourne on Friday. “Coming back on the court, adapting to the conditions here has been good for me. Two weeks ago I’d say I had to pull out of Auckland because I just wasn’t ready. I had a bit of a niggle that happened pretty randomly. I couldn’t prevent it. Now I feel good and I feel ready to give it my best here.
She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I’m coming in with the underdog mentality.
Raducanu has reached the second round in each of her three previous appearances at the Australian Open. But despite her limited success here, she loves playing Down Under.
“I love playing in Australia. Actually I love playing Down Under. I think it’s nice. In London it’s snowing, it’s really cold. We get to kind of escape the winter a little bit, get some winter sun. That actually makes a big difference to how I feel, I’d say. When you wake up in the morning, in the evenings, it’s still light outside. It does put a twist, enhances my mood, I’d say. As for playing in Australia, I think the people here are very funny. There’s good humor. Good banter. It’s somewhere where you can kind of dish it out as well and not be afraid. I think the whole thing, I feel very comfortable.”
Looking ahead to her clash against the seeded Alexandrova, whom she is playing for the first time, the Brit said she would be backing herself to win.
“I mean, it’s a tricky draw, of course. Being unseeded, you can play any top opponent. She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I’m coming in with the underdog mentality. She’s been in this situation many more times than I have. I back myself to the hills. I feel like I’m in a good place with how I’m approaching my tennis, how I’m feeling on the court.”
