The Road to Recovery: Emma Raducanu’s Comeback to Tennis

After a long injury break and several operations, Emma Raducanu returns to the tennis tour in New Zealand and Australia. In an exclusive and very personal video for 9:11 magazine, the Porsche brand ambassador talks about her rapid rise, setbacks, motivation and new experiences as well as her comeback, which is longed for by tennis fans all over the world.

by PM

last edited: January 12, 2024, 1:54 p.m

Emma Raducanu has worked hard for her comeback

When the pain was gone, the fun returned. And the smile that fans love about Emma Raducanu. “It’s a great feeling to be on the pitch and be able to play without pain,” says the 21-year-old. “I’m very grateful and I’m only now realizing how much I love tennis and how much I’ve missed it.”

Emma Raducanu’s star rose at the US Open 2021. In New York, the Brit, then just 18 years old, became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam tournament with a sensational winning streak without losing a single set. The teenager from London became a global star overnight. She was a star guest at major international events such as the Met Gala and was the youngest woman to date to be appointed a “Member of the Order of the British Empire” (MBE).

“Everything changed overnight and suddenly you’re being watched everywhere,” reflects the Canadian native. Living up to the associated expectations was a huge challenge, especially as she was increasingly set back by injuries. She already had problems with her wrist at the US Open 2022. “I knew for a while that only an operation could help me,” says the Porsche brand ambassador, who played her last match of the 2023 season in April at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. “I could no longer train properly, especially not what I actually wanted to do. I could barely manage 45 minutes a day before the pain became too much. What was particularly bad for me was that I went into the matches knowing that I wasn’t optimally prepared. It was a very difficult situation mentally.”

The way back was full of ups and downs

After the operation, she hit her first balls on the court in August 2023, but the road back was full of ups and downs. During this difficult time, it was primarily her parents who supported and encouraged her not to give up and to keep fighting. It was not only a fight for fitness and skill, but also against routine and monotony. She tried to see the positive: “I decided to make the best of the situation and use the time as best as I could.” Immediately after the operation, she visited her two grandmothers, one in Shenyang, China others in the Romanian capital Bucharest. “In a normal season that would have been very difficult,” says Emma Raducanu, “but now I even had time to paint a little and start learning to play the piano.” And she had more time for another passion, driving: “Me love driving, with music, friends or alone. I was able to drive some really cool Porsche models. Driving around London in the Panamera and the Taycan was really fun.”

Now her focus is back on tennis. It feels a bit like a new chapter is beginning, says Emma Raducanu. She is ready for it and curious about what awaits her: “The time off showed me that I love the sport. When you get back into it after such a long break, you come back with so much more enthusiasm and hunger.” The Australian Open is a first highlight, with more to come throughout the year. “Serving at Wimbledon will certainly be very special for me “Playing in a large arena in front of enthusiastic spectators is what I particularly love about tennis,” she enthuses, before adding: “I’m also really looking forward to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. After all, there’s a Porsche to win there most attractive winner’s trophy on the tour.”

The video in 9:11 Magazine shows Emma Raducanu in the weight room and on the training ground, looks back at stages in her career with the appearance at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2023 and accompanies her behind the wheel of a Porsche Taycan. The contribution is accompanied by exciting original tones from the Porsche brand ambassador, who can also be seen in exclusive interview sequences. The video is in the Porsche Newsroom at porsche.click/911-magazin-emma-raducanu available.

2024-01-12 16:50:00
#missed #tennis #lot #tennisnet.com