Emma Raducanu has expressed that she is “more grateful for my health than results” as she reflects on her challenging journey through injuries last season, particularly amid her current foot troubles.
Since her last match at the Korea Open in Seoul, where she retired in the quarter-finals due to a ligament injury, Raducanu has withdrawn from five subsequent events. While her recent setbacks are tough, they are nothing compared to the difficulties she faced in 2023, when she spent a staggering eight months on the sidelines.
The 21-year-old underwent surgeries on her wrist and ankle, causing her to miss three out of four Grand Slam tournaments and plummeting her ranking outside the top 200 in the WTA standings. However, she has made significant progress in 2024, climbing back into the top 60.
In a video with her sponsor HSBC, Raducanu opened up about her struggles over the past year. “I was out for eight months and I had three surgeries, and the rehab wasn’t as straightforward as everyone planned,” she shared. “Initially, the return to play was only meant to be four months, but it ended up being double because I came back a bit too quickly and did more damage. I learned a lesson in patience and the dangers of rushing things.”
She further noted the challenges of returning to competitive play: “It takes time to get back up to the speed of the game. Match situations are so different from practice, introducing unpredictability. Now, I’m just grateful for my health rather than the results.”
Watching from the sidelines was particularly tough for Raducanu. “When you’re on the sidelines and everything is happening around you, it’s difficult. I had to shut it off completely; I couldn’t even watch.”
Looking ahead, it’s uncertain if Raducanu will be back on the court in 2024, especially after withdrawing from the Hong Kong Open, which kicks off on Monday. This withdrawal means she has effectively played her last official WTA match of the season, with the year concluding at the WTA Finals next week.
Nevertheless, the world No. 55 remains optimistic about representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga later this November. Raducanu was instrumental in securing Britain’s spot at the Finals, winning both her matches during a crucial 3-1 victory over France in April. If she does participate, she would take her place as Britain’s No. 2 player, following current No. 1 Katie Boulter.