Emma Raducanu

[nickfrog]

She had bulked up a bit this year it seems, not that I was looking too closely!

[Ashfordian]

swisstoni said:

I don’t know any top level tennis players, so maybe they are all suffering from niggles all the time and have to manage them.

If not, she’s got to beef up her body because it’s just not up to the strain of the job, it seems.

Almost all sports stars are walking a tightrope between injury and optimum fitness. You cannot be at the top of your chosen sport by just being 95% fit!

ER had that mix just right in the few months leading up to the US Open win.

I still believe there is an underlying mental issue/frailty there, which I hope she overcomes and becomes a UK legend of the sport.

[McGee_22]

Ashfordian said:

Almost all sports stars are walking a tightrope between injury and optimum fitness. You cannot be at the top of your chosen sport by just being 95% fit!

ER had that mix just right in the few months leading up to the US Open win.

I still believe there is an underlying mental issue/frailty there, which I hope she overcomes and becomes a UK legend of the sport.

I don't think there is a mental frailty issue there - she seems very determined and focused but I do think she is in danger of developing a long term injury issue like Laura Robson and many others have done.

But to be fair to her, what she did in 2021 is the stuff of legend already, an awesome achievement for a 19 year old qualifier.

[Stan the Bat]

Her match has just started now.

[nickfrog]

She is currently playing like...at the USO 21 for the first time since the...USO21. Hope she can maintain it.

Her inside out forehand is back in force in particular.

[rjfp1962]

Looks like it's going to a deciding set...!

[nickfrog]

Amazing. So much mental resilience in the third against momentum. It's like if 18 months of frustration came out at once in the last few games.

I don't care what happens against Iga. She should be happy to win 3 or 4 games per set against the world number 1, still a good stepping stone for future success.

[rjfp1962]

Wins the 3rd set to take the match 6-1 2-6 6-4

[df76]

Entertaining match that. Amazing given her lead into the tournament really.

[robt350c]

Woohoo! :-)

[McGee_22]

Gutsy performance against an in form much higher ranked opponent.

[JagLover]

Well done to her. Has won three matches in a row and beaten a top 20 opponent.

[Mouse Rat]

Brilliant last set. She has the ability to be a special player.

[swisstoni]

The opponent is on their way to the top 10 so that was a heck of a win.
World’s No1 next unfortunately. But if she can at least acquit herself well it’s a really good sign for the coming year.

[Stan the Bat]

Noticed that she said in her interview that she hadn't done much training in the two weeks prior to the event, (due to wrist and tonsillitis I imagine ).

Perhaps she has been overtraining in the past giving her those niggling injuries.

[rjfp1962]

Emma's latest coach Torben Beltz might have settled into the role better than previous ones...

[nickfrog]

I am watching it tonight at stupid O'Clock as I'll be up for the Garcia game anyway

I doubt she will win but if she can get a set against Iga that would be superb.

[Stan the Bat]

Draper vs Alcaraz on tonight as well. Come on Jack.

[nickfrog]

Stan the Bat said:

Draper vs Alcaraz on tonight as well. Come on Jack.

Yes, should be good. Brilliant to see so much British talent. Although 'Caraz will be tough to beat...

[rjfp1962]

Emma lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets earlier 6-3 6-1. No shame in losing against the No.1 player!

She's got some very useful matchplay and some wins under her belt, so wishing her the best as we get into the new season...