British tennis star Emma Raducanu will make her third straight appearance at the ASB Classic
British tennis star Emma Raducanu will make her third straight appearance at the ASB Classic, returning to Auckland which is one of her favourite stops.
The 2021 US Open Champion is set to make a return to the game after being sidelined with an ankle injury for two months.
While Raducanu required a wildcard spot to compete in Auckland in 2024 following a significant injury layoff in 2023, this year she has worked her way to 58th on the WTA rankings with more consistent and promising form.
Raducanu impressed at the last ASB Classic, including her loss in the match of the women’s tournament, a three-set clash of high quality against Ukraine’s former world No. 3 ranked, Elena Svitolina.
The British player plans to return to the game for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup this month, after she was a key figure in GBR’s win over France in April, where she won both singles matches.
She is looking forward to her return to Auckland.
“The people are very friendly and very hospitable. I always have a great time there. The weather, when it is nice, is really beautiful,” said Raducanu.
“One of my best friends lives in Auckland and her family do too, so I think I will be there for Christmas Day. Over the last two years, we have gone an hour north to their beach house and had a barbeque there. It is really wholesome. The quality of the meat and fish is so fresh and I am looking forward to it.”
No doubt Raducanu is looking to hook some useful catches on the court as well after a year of some encouragement, with 20 wins from her 33 matches, often having her progress halted against a top seed.
She made the round of 16 in Abu Dhabi before losing to second seed Ons Jabeur; the round of 32 at Indian Wells before going down against world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and the quarters at Stuttgart before being eliminated against world no.2 Iga Swiatek. She made the semifinals in Nottingham, the quarterfinals at Eastbourne, the fourth round at Wimbledon before losing to Kiwi Lulu Sun and the quarterfinals in Washington and Seoul.
“Mentally I feel like I am in a better place to compete now than I ever have been before since the US Open. It’s going to probably take me some tournaments to get up to speed but once I do, I think I am in a better headspace to compete now.”
The British player is still young, having recently turned 21 years, with few players, if any, having faced such scrutiny and challenges both on and off the court following her upset US Open title.
She is well placed to add voice to any youngsters setting out in the game.
“The best advice for up-and-coming kiwi players is probably not to get disheartened by a defeat, especially at a young age. They do not really matter as much as you think they do in the moment,” said Raducanu. “Keep working on trying to play the right way and develop your game and skillsets.”
Raducanu has fond memories of her form at Auckland and looking to go further in 2025.