Emma Raducanu feared her career could be wrecked by pain in her wrists during her long injury layoff last year.
The former US Open champion underwent surgeries on her wrists and ankle in May – and still has the scars as “battle wounds”. But a setback in August saw her stop hitting balls for four months and she only returned to competitive action earlier this month.
She pulled out of an exhibition event in Macau in December and two more friendlies in Melbourne last week
Raducanu, 21, will play her first Grand Slam match in a year against world No.156 Shelby Rogers on Tuesday after playing only twice in Auckland.
The world No.296 has been bullish about her comeback this week but warned she was “going to require more time” to find a consistent level.
And the details of her stop-start recovery explain why for a player dogged by physical problems during her brief pro career.
“The injury setback was quite scary,” Raducanu admitted.
“I was just worried I was always gonna feel pain in my wrist. I started hitting in August and after that, I’d say, the first eight, nine days, I was feeling pain and then it just didn’t go away.
“And then I didn’t start hitting again with the yellow ball until pretty much like the last week of November.
“I didn’t play for a good few months after and then only started picking it up recently at the back end of November. So I guess to be in the position I am now, who’s only really had like six weeks of training with yellow ball, I’m pretty proud of myself and the team for getting me here. And I mean credit, like the surgeon, he did a great job”
Raducanu now has inch-long scars “minor procedures” to remove bony lumps – carpal bosses – on each wrist.
“They are battle wounds,” she smiled. “I guess I won’t be a hand model but I can throw that career away. But they’re healing nicely and they look a lot better now. So it’s just part of the journey. When I’m like 80 I can show everyone ‘These are the battle scars!’”
In her pre-tournament press conference, Raducanu said she thought her level is “just too good not to come through” if she remains fit.
And Eurosport commentator Tim Henman, part of her team in New York in 2021 said: “With Raducanu it’s small steps. When you look at how little tennis she’s played in her whole career, she’s still massively inexperienced.
“I thought her level in Auckland was excellent, but it’s more about the physical resilience. She needs to build up the physicality in her body so she can play week in week out, so she doesn’t get those injuries because that just disrupts your momentum. She’s a great player and is hopefully building that foundation to do herself justice”.
