Emma Raducanu describes return to court as ‘alien’ after two-month break

Emma Raducanu has described returning to the tennis court after more than two months as an 'alien' experience, but said her three-set match against Maria Sakkari at the United Cup on Tuesday had boosted her confidence to gradually increase her training load.

The 2021 US Open champion withdrew from her scheduled match against Naomi Osaka at the mixed-team event on Sunday due to a foot injury sustained late last year. However, she was able to compete against Greece’s Sakkari in Perth.

Raducanu lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 as Britain exited the competition, but she took positives from her return to competitive play.

“I am pretty happy with how I was able to play a three-set match,” she said. “Considering I’ve only played five or six games in practice, it’s a big effort for me.”

The 23-year-old added that returning after a long break had been challenging but had given her confidence and motivation to continue improving.

“It’s been a good two and a bit months where I didn’t play,” she explained. “It’s been difficult to increase the load and cope with the unpredictability of tennis. I think today, being able to produce that, having not played, is just giving me confidence in what I can do when I do practice more.

“Initially, you feel a little bit alien on the court, in the first set, just playing points again. I know now I just need to get my head down and keep working.”

Raducanu is set to return to action at the Hobart International, which begins on 12 January, ahead of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, starting on 18 January.