Emma Raducanu labelled her triumph against home hope Angelique Kerber in Stuttgart Open as a milestone moment while confessing that she has come a long way in the last year.
The 2021 US Open champion also feels that her serve is doing a damage now and her mental game is in a good place now, thanks to her current work at trainings.
Raducanu swept past Kerber 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Wednesday as she came on the back of some impressive clay-court wins in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Last week, Raducanu guided Britain prevail against France 3-1 in Le Portel in the BJK Cup qualifiers with her 3-set victories against Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry.
Currently ranked #330 at WTA, Raducanu broke Kerber 7-time as she crushed the 3-time major titlist in Stuttgart. The Brit appeared in her last match of the 2023 season in Stuttgart a year ago as she underwent surgery on both her hands and ankles in May.
In her post-match press conference after easing past Kerber, Raducanu discussed the progress she made in the 12 months since her last appearance at the WTA 500 event.
“I think I have just been doing a lot of great training this year. I probably started actually training this year, because in December it was more just returning to fitness after obviously the surgeries,” said Raducanu.
“I feel like I can actually, like, lean on that more so now because I’m actually doing the work, whereas last year it was very difficult.
“I mean, exactly a year ago I think was my last match before surgery. It’s a bit of a milestone moment for me, and I just feel like I have, yeah, come a long way in that year.
“I think my serve is more of a weapon now. I think the last weekend I played some great tennis. Obviously it wasn’t a lot of much time to turn over since last weekend.
“Yeah, going back up again tomorrow, it’s more just a challenge of the body, I’d say, but I think I’m mentally in a good place. I’m taking a lot of confidence from the training I’m doing.”
Raducanu also praised Kerber and thanked crowd for the support who were vouching for home hope.
“I’m very pleased to have got through that match. It was I think a difficult one, because Angie is just such an experienced player,” she added.
“She’s achieved so much, and also, I’m pretty sure won this tournament multiple times, but at least once. It’s obviously playing in Germany, so, you know, she’s the home favorite.
“I was really pleased actually with the support I got out there today. There were a few chants and some kids’ voices which was really, really nice.”