Emma Raducanu to delay her comeback as she is urged to take her time
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu appears set to push back her expected return date yet again.
Raducanu recently returned to training at the National Tennis Centre but is taking a cautious approach following triple surgeries.
Her 2023 season was cut short in May and earlier this week Raducanu held a 90-minute session at the National Tennis Centre.
Her appearance raised hopes that she might start her comeback at the outset of the 2024 season.
Radacanu’s 2022 season was also plagued by persistent niggles and the inability to build any sort of momentum.
It is reported that due to a setback in the wrist region around six weeks ago, her comeback plans have fallen behind schedule. As a result, there is now very little chance that she will participate in an exhibition event in Macau starting on 2 December, which was pencilled in as her return.
She hasn’t put in any type of consistent practice court time yet, limiting herself to gym training and the occasional shot with softer balls.
Nevertheless, there is still optimism that she will return for the start of the next season, in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open.
Most of her work is being done at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, and is reportedly being carried out with the help of general coaching and fitness experts from the Lawn Tennis Association.
According to multiple reports, Radacanu appears more reserved in going about her business these days.
Possibly as a natural response to the intense scrutiny that followed the summer of 2021, she has reportedly put a protective shell around herself.
Radacanu doesn’t appear to have engaged a full time coach.
One of those who has seen Raducanu recently is Tim Henman.
Henman feels that Raducanu should take her time with her return.
“It is above all about the physical side and building the resilience to stand up to the demands of the tour week in, week out,” Henman told Mail Sport.
“She has always been different with coaches and some people like to do things differently in an individual sport. I have absolutely no doubts about her tennis ability, but it’s the physical side and building that base around you.
“It is the fundamental requirement in the modern game and she needs to be using this time to create that. Jack Draper (her equally talented British contemporary) has realised the importance of this and you are seeing him reap the benefits.
“Perhaps she needs to look at what Jack has been doing. Everyone wants her to succeed and you just hope she will make the right choices to achieve what she is capable of. Emma should take her time.”
READ MORE: Has Emma Raducanu given a big hint that she will delay her comeback?
