Australian Open: Emma Raducanu remains optimistic despite defeat in Sydney
Despite the clear 0: 6, 1: 6 defeat against Elena Rybakina at the WTA tournament in Sydney, Emma Raducanu is positive about the Australian Open.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 14, 2022, 05:55 pm
It was anything but a gala performance, Emma Raducanu's first game at the WTA 500 hard court tournament in Sydney against Kazakh Elena Rybakina. After just 55 minutes of play, the Briton had to admit defeat without a word, 6-0 and 6-1. There was nothing or at least not much to see of the glamor of the historic US Open triumph of four months before.
However, the 19-year-old had anything but good preparation for her first tournament of the new season. At the invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) in mid-December, Raducanu was infected with the corona virus, had to be quarantined and thus missed participation in last week's tournament in Adelaide. Her opponent, on the other hand, had made a great start to the year 2022 by participating in the final.
"I am very confident"
"Rybakina is a great player who is in good form and has had a great week. It was obviously a big challenge for me to play my first game against her. She played a great match. It just showed me what stage I am at in my comeback and recovery," said the Englishwoman. In any case, the match experience would benefit her at the upcoming Australian Open.
She's had a tough few weeks, but is now optimistic about what's to come. "I haven't played tennis for 21 days and I'm about to meet Rybakina. I could have easily said it's too early, but I really wanted to test myself. I think it will help me next week. I'm very confident ."
However, Raducanu did not get an easy draw for the first round of the "Happy Slam". The Grand Slam winner is up against the American Sloane Stephens, who is also a US Open champion.
Here is the women's individual tableau at the Australian Open 2022
laver arena