Emma Raducanu eyeing up mega rankings breakthrough after big schedule change
Emma Raducanu was reluctant to play in clay court tournaments in 2024, but she has confirmed that her approach has been transformed 12 months on after accepting a wildcard into another tournament.
Raducanu has been improving on clay courts in recent weeks and won three matches at the Italian Open before being beaten by world No 3 Coco Gauff.
With less than two weeks to go before the French Open, Raducanu might have been expected to take a break ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year by confirming she will play in the WTA 500 tournament in Strasbourg.
The announcement comes after Raducanu hinted she wanted to play more clay court tennis ahead of the French Open following her defeat against Gauff.
“I would love to just keep improving, keep playing. I think that’s a positive for me,” said Raducanu.
More Tennis News
Emma Raducanu has one big concern after thumping Coco Gauff defeat in Rome
Emma Raducanu has rediscovered a key part of her personality that made her special
“I don’t want to go and hide in a hole somewhere, I want to get back out there, so that’s good.
“We’ll see how it goes in the next week before the French, if I get into Strasbourg. But, for now, I’ve played a good 12 days on the trot, so I’m looking forward to a day off or so and then getting back to it.”
Raducanu’s form in recent weeks should fill her with confidence in what will be her third clay court tournament of the season, but she could face a tough opening match in Strasbourg.
Ekaterina Alexandrova is the highest-ranked player to enter the draw in Strasbourg, but there must be some doubts over whether the world No 20 will play after she pulled out of the Italian Open, where she was due to meet Raducanu.
Former world No 2 Paula Badosa is also on the entry list in Strasbourg, but she is also an injury doubt after pull out of recent events.
World No 35 Danielle Collins has entered to play in Strasbourg and she will be a player to watch after her impressive win against Iga Swiatek at the Italian Open.
Raducanu could also face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, in what would be a repeat of the 2021 US Open final that was won by the Brit.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin are also in the Strasbourg draw, along with Italian Open quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina.
Raducanu’s appearance in Strasbourg will give her a chance to take over from Katie Boulter as British No 1 ahead of the French Open as she is currently just two places behind her compatriot in the live WTA Rankings.
She could also get closer to being seeded for Wimbledon this summer if she performs well in Strasbourg and at the French Open.
Former British No 1 Tim Henman has hinted that All England Club seeding may be in Raducanu’s sights, as she appears to be embracing the challenge of improving her game on clay courts.
“When you reflect on Emma Raducanu’s clay court season so far, I think it’s incredibly positive,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“The clay courts at Roland Garros are the truest and best clay courts. They are the ones where you can take the ball early.
“I think that will suit Emma more. Her game is moving in the right direction.”
“I think she is around 42 in the live rankings. The number in the back of my mind is 32 pre-Wimbledon. Can she get to be seeded and have protection in the early rounds on grass?”
READ NEXT: Emma Raducanu makes ‘hide in a hole’ comment and hints at big schedule change ahead of French Open
