Emma Raducanu has expressed disappointment with the scheduling decisions for the Australian Open. The British No. 1 faced challenges preparing for the tournament as she arrived in Melbourne on Friday, after reaching the quarter-finals at the Hobart International. Raducanu is set to begin her campaign on Sunday against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
Concerns Over Schedule
Raducanu’s first match is scheduled for the opening day, where she will play in the second night session on Margaret Court Arena. Following a men’s match that begins at 7 pm local time, this arrangement poses the risk of a very late start for her match. Raducanu commented on the difficulties of adjusting to such a schedule.
“It’s very difficult to be scheduling women’s matches after a potential five-set match. To me, it doesn’t really make much sense,” she stated. Despite these challenges, she remains focused on adapting to the situation and performing well.
Injury Management and Preparation
Raducanu has been dealing with a foot injury that limited her practice time before the opening of the season. She emphasized her progress in managing this issue, expressing satisfaction with her improvement. “I started training very, very late on tennis-wise. So, because of that, I feel like I need to kind of take the pressure off myself,” she added, emphasizing the need for a patient approach.
Upcoming Match Against Sawangkaew
Mananchaya Sawangkaew, ranked 195 and making her Grand Slam debut, may not seem a formidable opponent on paper. However, Raducanu is cautious. “Playing a lot of matches even at the ITF level does so much,” she acknowledged. The unpredictability of facing less-known opponents adds an element of danger.
Looking Ahead
As the Australian Open approaches, Raducanu remains optimistic about her performance. “I want this week to go well, but I know that I’m working on the right things and it will slot into place at some point,” she concluded. Despite a challenging schedule and health issues, she is determined to make the most out of her Australian Open experience.
