Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu says she will ‘review’ her current wrist injury before setting out what to do next after crashing out of the Miami Open on Tuesday.
The British No.1 was edged out of her opening match at The Hard Rock Stadium by Bianca Andreescu who battled to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, win after two-and-a-half hours of play. It is the first time this season that Raducanu has lost her opening match at a tournament with her defeat coming after her run to the fourth round of Indian Wells where she scored two wins over top 50 players.
Whilst producing some promising results in recent weeks, Raducanu has also been managing pain in her wrist. In 2022 she was forced to end her season early due to a wrist injury and the problem flared up again earlier this month. Fortunately for the 19-year-old, she can still play, but it is not ideal.
“It’s something I’ve been managing for some time. I just need to review after this tournament really and figure out what my next steps are,” Raducanu said during her press conference.
“We (my team) have been managing it and keeping on top of it. I’m able to play in the short-term. But the current solutions aren’t very viable long-term.”
Injury woes are nothing new for the 20-year-old. In the past, she has also experienced issues with her back, legs, blisters and a side strain. On top of that, earlier this year at the ASB Classic in New Zealand she rolled her ankle which forced her to retire from her second round match.
Despite these setbacks, Raducanu is confident that she is heading in the right direction. She is currently coached on the Tour by Sebastian Sachs who is the fifth person to mentor her within the past 18 months. Sachs has previously worked with the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Belinda Bencic.
“I think that I’m doing the right things day to day, which brings me confidence,” she said.
“I feel like this year has been difficult in the sense that I have been managing a few existing injuries. That has been annoying and frustrating because I’ve been working as best as I can.’
“I’m enjoying the competition. Really, really happy to be on the match court.”
Raducanu’s current fitness is the reason why she isn’t playing in her country’s upcoming tie against France in the Billie Jean King Cup. She said the ‘best medical advice’ given to her is to not switch surfaces at short notice.
“I would love to play the Billie Jean King Cup. It’s just that this scenario is not the best for my body. I really need to look after myself and do what’s best for me on the match court,” she said.
Raducanu is currently ranked 72nd in the world.
