By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 21, 2023
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu vows she will launch her comeback in 2024 and shares her ultimate tennis dream.
Photo credit: Western & Southern Open Facebook
A slew of injuries and several surgeries largely limited Emma Raducanu to spectator status this season.
Rehabbing from ankle surgery and surgeries to both wrists she underwent in May, a recovering Raducanu eyes a competitive comeback in 2024.
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Speaking to BBC Sport, the 2021 US Open champion said it was tough to watch tennis on TV this season, but she plans to be back playing next season.
"Next season I'll be back," Raducanu told BBC. "This season all the slams were finished so it was difficult to watch them go by but I was trying to stay in my lane as much as possible and keep focused on my recovery."
The 20-year-old Raducanu, who celebrates her 21st birthday on November 13th, wraps an injury-plagued 2023 season posting a 5-5 record. Raducanu resumed hitting on August 2nd and said she has been training regularly.
The 150th-ranked Briton made history as the first player—man or woman—to play through qualifying and capture a Grand Slam singles title at the 2021 US Open.
That phenomenal Flushing Meadows triumph accelerated Raducanu's learning curve and, she said, exposed her to the "sharks" within the sport.
"I had to mature very quickly," Raducanu told The Sunday Times. "When I won I was extremely naive. What I have realized in the past two years, the tour and everything that comes with it, it's not a very nice, trusting and safe space.
"You have to be on guard because there are a lot of sharks out there. I think people in the industry, especially with me because I was 19, now 20, they see me as a piggy bank.
"It has been difficult to navigate. I have been burnt a few times. I have learned, keep your circle as small as possible."
Though she's well aware of the criticism of her as a "one-Slam wonder", Raducanu says she's learned to shake off skeptics.
"The fact they are still talking about me even though I'm not at these events is just a compliment," Raducanu told BBC. "Someone told me 'worry when they are not talking about you'."
Currently ranked No. 214, Raducanu said her ultimate tennis dream remains strong: To win Wimbledon.
"Wimbledon is the dream and always has been growing up," Raducanu said. "It's still the ultimate dream to win Wimbledon."