Emma Raducanu makes ‘milestone moment’ revelation and highlights what is ‘more of a weapon now’

Ewan West 18 Apr 2024 12:05 PM

Emma Raducanu before her match in Stuttgart

Emma Raducanu described her dominant victory against Angelique Kerber in Stuttgart as a “milestone moment” as she reflected she has “come a long way” in the last year.

The British star divulged she feels her serve is “more of a weapon now” and also expressed she is “mentally in a good place” as a result of the work she is doing in training.

Raducanu crushed Kerber 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Wednesday to build on her impressive recent clay-court displays in the Billie Jean King Cup.

Last week, Raducanu helped Britain overcome France 3-1 in Le Portel in the BJK Cup qualifying round with three-set triumphs over Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry.

The 21-year-old Brit, who is currently ranked 303rd, broke Kerber seven times as she eased past the German home favourite and three-time Grand Slam champion in Stuttgart.

The 2021 US Open champion played her last match of the 2023 season in Stuttgart a year ago as she underwent surgery on both her hands and her ankle in May.

Perfect Start @EmmaRaducanu looking very sharp, defeating Kerber to set up a R2 encounter against Noskova!#PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/avIcmN55qG

— wta (@WTA) April 17, 2024

In her post-match press conference after beating Kerber, Raducanu spoke about the progress she has made in the 12 months since her previous appearance at the WTA 500 event.

“I think I have just been doing a lot of great training this year. I probably started actually training this year, because in December it was more just returning to fitness after obviously the surgeries,” Raducanu explained.

“I feel like I can actually, like, lean on that more so now because I’m actually doing the work, whereas last year it was very difficult.

“I mean, exactly a year ago I think was my last match before surgery. It’s a bit of a milestone moment for me, and I just feel like I have, yeah, come a long way in that year.

“I think my serve is more of a weapon now. I think the last weekend I played some great tennis. Obviously it wasn’t a lot of much time to turn over since last weekend.

“Yeah, going back up again tomorrow, it’s more just a challenge of the body, I’d say, but I think I’m mentally in a good place. I’m taking a lot of confidence from the training I’m doing.”

Raducanu also paid tribute to Kerber and expressed her appreciation for the support she received from the crowd.

“I’m very pleased to have got through that match. It was I think a difficult one, because Angie is just such an experienced player,” she added.

“She’s achieved so much, and also, I’m pretty sure won this tournament multiple times, but at least once. It’s obviously playing in Germany, so, you know, she’s the home favourite.

“I was really pleased actually with the support I got out there today. There were a few chants and some kids’ voices which was really, really nice.”