Emma Raducanu’s Return to the Court
Emma Raducanu is optimistic that her health issues are behind her as she prepares for her opening match at the French Open. The British number one will face Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the first round on Sunday, marking just her second match since March after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to a post-viral illness.
Raducanu recently played a close contest against Diane Parry in Strasbourg this week, but she feels much better now. “I feel a lot better,” she said. “I thought I’d completely flipped it. I think there’s just been a little bit of a lingering cough recently. But I feel health-wise really good.”
She also mentioned that her performance in Strasbourg was positive, with the match lasting over two hours and her physical condition improving significantly. “I’m happy to take that and build from it,” she added.
Raducanu’s absence from competition has resulted in her dropping out of the top 32, making her unseeded in Paris. While she avoided facing top players, her first-round opponent, 21-year-old Solana Sierra, is ranked 64th and is very comfortable on clay. Sierra made a surprise run to the fourth round of Wimbledon last year.
“I think she’s a great player,” Raducanu said. “It’s going to be a really tricky first round, especially coming in light on matches, but I’m just proud of how I’m approaching every day, proud of the work I’m putting in.”
She emphasized the need to play aggressively and capitalize on the current conditions. “I feel like the conditions are pretty lively so far in the practice days, as the weather is hot, but I think that could be a good thing. I just want to go out there and try and play on my terms as much as I can.”
British Players’ Challenges
With Jack Draper sidelined due to injury, Cameron Norrie appeared to be the best hope for a deep British run. However, the 20th seed revealed he is struggling with a rib injury. “I haven’t been able to hit yet since I’ve arrived here, so just been enjoying Paris and resting,” he said. “But I think I needed the rest, so maybe it’s a good thing. I really know that I’m feeling the ball well. Luckily I’m scheduled on Tuesday, so I have some time to recover. Hopefully I can be good to play.”
Norrie, who faces Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in his first match, admitted he may have over-trained, including a five-set training match against American Ben Shelton that lasted nearly five hours.
There are six British players in the main draws, with Norrie joined in the men’s singles by Jacob Fearnley and qualifier Toby Samuel. Fearnley has also been battling a rib problem this season and has struggled to maintain his form, winning just seven matches all year.
Fearnley has the opportunity to face world number one Jannik Sinner in the second round if he can overcome Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The 24-year-old, who has started working with Andy Murray’s former fitness trainer Matt Little, reflected on his recent challenges. “I did go up the rankings pretty fast and maybe just didn’t have the time to really reflect on it and appreciate it for what it was. And maybe got a little bit too far ahead of myself. Life in general, there’s ups and downs, and just on a little bit of a down right now, but no reason why I can’t get back up.”
Samuel will face eighth seed Alex De Minaur in his first grand slam appearance, while in the women’s draw, Katie Boulter plays wild card Akasha Urhobo and Fran Jones meets Beatriz Haddad Maia.
