Emma Raducanu: Briton admits to feeling 'tired' ahead of Madrid Open - 'Trying to manage energy levels'
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Updated 23/04/2024 at 23:06 GMT
Emma Raducanu has revealed she is feeling "tired" ahead of this week's Madrid Open, but is learning to cope with not feeling 100% when she steps on to the court. The 21-year-old heads to Spain on a high after reaching the quarter-finals in Stuttgart earlier this month. And she has revealed that she is delighted with her form ahead of next month's French Open at Roland Garros.
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British tennis star Emma Raducanu admits to "tired" due to the number of matches she has played lately.
The 2021 US Open Grand Slam champion has had a busy few weeks on the clay thanks to her best run of form in over a year.
She helped her Great Britain team-mates book their spot in the final stage of the Billie Jean King Cup, before reaching the quarter-final of last week's Stuttgart Open.
Her run in Germany included impressive victories over three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber and world No. 31 Linda Noskova, before running into Iga Swiatek in the last-eight.
The Pole won that clash 7-6 6-3, and Raducanu says such a volume of matches has taken its toll on her body.
"I’m trying to learn how to manage energy levels," she told Sky Sports. "I’m not going to deny that I am tired.
"But I think that’s it just accepting that you’re not going to feel 100% and try to save everything for the fight, because the mental side can get you over the line."
Raducanu is still getting used to being back on the tennis tour, having missed the majority of the 2023 season due to injury.
Her form has taken a real upturn in recent weeks, also reaching the third round at Indian Wells before losing to Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
As such, she has climbed up to 221 in the world rankings.
The 21-year-old's next quest is the Madrid Open, which serves as part of her build up to next month's French Open, although she will either have to get a wild card or come through qualifying to play at Roland-Garros.
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Iga Swiatek (l.) mit Emma Raducanu
Image credit: Imago
The Brit will take on Maria Lourdes Carle in the first round in Spain, and says her game is in a good place ahead of the clash.
"I feel I am playing really well and racking up confidence week-by-week," he added. "It’s a challenge coming here to Madrid. It’s the first outdoor tournament I’ve played since Indian Wells so I have had to adjust quickly.
"I’m trying to freshen up physically as much as possible before tomorrow. This was the last place I came to last year before surgery and then I missed eight months.
"‘So for me, from now, I have zero points to defend for the rest of the year, so everything is a gain and everything is a win.
"Coming here, I feel really confident mentally. I’m looking forward to the rest of the clay season."
Keothovong urges Raducanu to be selective over schedule
Meanwhile, Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothovong thinks Raducanu should avoid playing too much, too soon.
The Madrid Open will be the 21-year-old's third event in as many weeks, while she still has the Rome Masters to come before Roland Garros.
"When you've had a period of time on the sidelines you soon realise how much you miss the sport and how much you want to be out there competing," she told Sky Sports.
"Despite having nothing to defend for the rest of the year I don't think we're going to see her playing week in, week out for the rest of the year. She doesn't need to."
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