Emma Raducanu reveals she is ‘not too concerned’ about tournaments as she outlines 2024 priority
Emma Raducanu has admitted she is “not too concerned about this year’s tournaments” as she discussed her priorities for this season ahead of her appearance at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
The 2021 US Open champion explained her focus is on “becoming a better tennis player” and working on her “game and development” rather than “just following the crowd or playing a lot of matches.”
Raducanu is set to compete at the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, where she will face 24-year-old Spaniard Rebeka Masarova, the world No 96, in the opening round. The Brit, who is currently ranked 250th in the world, received a wildcard to play in Indian Wells — where main draw play begins today.
The 21-year-old returned from an eight-month absence in Auckland in January after undergoing surgeries on both her wrists and her ankle last year.
Raducanu holds a 3-4 record in 2024, having reached the second round at her first three events in Auckland, the Australian Open and in Abu Dhabi, before an opening round exit in Doha.
The former world No 10 lost 6-0, 7-6(6) to Anhelina Kalinina in the first round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Qatar in her most recent appearance last month.
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In an interview with BBC Sport, Raducanu outlined that her focus for this campaign was on developing her game, rather than tournament results.
“I want to work on becoming a better tennis player. I think for me, I’m not too concerned about this year’s tournaments,” the 21-year-old said.
“A lot of people out there would say that I need matches, but I think that for me, I want to work on my game and development.
“Taking time to do that is very necessary and not just following the crowd, or playing a lot of matches, or dropping down [to Challenger level] to do that. I want to work on developing skills.
“It’s just a bit of a journey for me, I would say, you don’t really know what to expect after being out for eight months.
“I felt like because I was so go-go-go since December, I felt like I became a little fatigued, so it was good to go back, freshen up and practise for the American swing, which I’m a big fan of.”
Raducanu also addressed the prospect of representing Great Britain in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against France in April.
“I don’t know if I’ll get the call-up. But if she asks me to, I think it makes sense because it’s before [the WTA tournament in] Stuttgart [which is also] on indoor clay,” she added.
Raducanu has also been given a wildcard to play the 2024 Miami open, which will begin on March 17 and conclude on March 31.
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