Emma Raducanu, who turned into an icon in a fortnight after winning the US Open, is all set to return to action. She will be back in the United States again for the Indiana Wells Open. The youngster holds the 17th seed in the event and has received a bye into the second round.
She will face either Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Maria Osorio Serrano in the second round of the tournament. Ahead of her Indian Wells debut, the Brit spoke to Eurosport about her feelings. She highlights how it is such a beautiful place and how she is loving the facilities at the competition. She is very excited to kickstart her Indian Wells campaign
The reigning US Open champions shared her insight on the courts being slow which automatically increased the chances of long rallies. She also explains how it is very hot and the air is dry so it will be an energy-sapping tournament for all the players.
It will be a big occasion for the 18-year-old as she will be in action for the first time since her historic US Open win. Also to increase her challenges, she will be without her coach Andrew Richardson. He was a vital cog in Raducanu’s dream run at the Flushing Meadows. The youngster parted ways with Richardson claiming that she wants someone with more ‘Grand Slam’ experience.
Jeremy Bates, who is the national women’s coach of the Lawn Tennis Association, will accompany Raducanu. Speaking on this matter the youngster said that she would look for the right person to take over that role instead of rushing into things.
“Jeremy [Bates] is part of women’s tennis at the LTA so while he’s here he’s helping me out,” the teenager said. “But going forward I’m just going to wait and find the right person, I’m not going to rush into anything. I want to make sure I make the right decision.”
“Even though I’m quite young I’ve got a lot of experience banked and at the end of the day you’re out there on your own and you have to be your own coach on the court, so I’m pretty comfortable,” the US Open champion explained.
For now the young Brit is focused as she wants to put up a good show on her debut at the Indian Wells.
