Emma Raducanu has been left lower than impressed by the Australian Open’s scheduling after being compelled to scramble to prepare for the event.
The British No 1 solely arrived in Melbourne on Friday after reaching the quarter-finals of the Hobart Worldwide however will begin her marketing campaign right here on Sunday towards Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
And never solely has she been scheduled on the opening day, she has additionally been given the second night time session slot on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment after a males’s match starting at 7pm native time (8am BST), which means the potential for a really late begin.
Raducanu was planning to have her first observe at 9pm native time on Saturday, and she or he mentioned: “It’s very difficult. You would love to have more time in the environment, more time practising, but I guess I was pretty much handed the schedule to try and turn it around and make the most out of what is in front of me.
“I believe it is easy to get down and complain about it, but it surely’s not going to assist. So I am simply making an attempt to focus and switch it round for tomorrow.
“It is very troublesome to be scheduling ladies’s matches after a possible five-set match. To me, it does not actually make a lot sense.
“In the present day I will observe and see what it is like. I do not assume I’ve been in that state of affairs. Solely as soon as earlier than possibly once I performed the semi-finals of the US Open.
“I played the second night match but, other than that, I haven’t played that late. So, for me, it’s a new experience, something that I need to learn to do.”
It could be a troublesome state of affairs even when Raducanu got here into the season in prime form, however the 23-year-old has as soon as once more battled bodily points throughout pre-season, with a foot damage severely limiting her time on courtroom.
She appeared wanting match sharpness in her conflict with Maria Sakkari on the United Cup final week, whereas she beat Camila Osorio within the opening spherical in Hobart however then misplaced to low-ranked Australian Taylah Preston.
Raducanu mentioned of the foot subject: “It’s definitely a lot better. I’ve been having to manage it for the last few months but I’m really happy with the progress that I’ve made this year.
“I got here out to Australia not understanding how it could go and now I am in a significantly better place and simply enhancing daily.
“I could easily get frustrated about not having the pre-season I wanted. I think it would only frustrate me. After last year being my first real year on tour, I really learned that the season is so long. I just want to try and work my way into this year.
“Clearly I would like this week to go nicely however I do know that I am engaged on the proper issues and it’ll slot into place sooner or later.
“I started training very, very late on tennis-wise. So, because of that, I feel like I need to kind of take the pressure off myself and not put too much pressure on and expect to be playing amazing tennis.”
Raducanu has been handed a gruelling early schedule on the Australian Open
On paper, Sawangkaew shouldn’t supply an excessive amount of of a risk being ranked down at 195 and making her grand slam debut, however the 23-year-old already has a lower-level title to her identify this season.
“I think it’s a tricky one because, playing a lot of matches, even if it’s at ITF level, and getting a lot of wins, it does so much,” mentioned Raducanu.
“I think it’s a very dangerous opponent, a very dangerous situation to be in. You don’t know that much about them, so there is that element of surprise, too.”
Williams excited to make historical past forward of wildcard return
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Venus Williams discusses how excited she is to tackle her first Australian Open in 5 years
Venus Williams is able to rejoice her newest milestone as she prepares for a primary Australian Open look in 5 years.
At 45, the American will grow to be the oldest lady to compete in the principle draw at Melbourne Park, surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she performed her remaining match in 2015.
“I hadn’t thought about it until it came out in the press, so yay, yay for me,” mentioned Williams, who first performed on the event again in 1998. “Let’s do this.”
Williams reached her second singles remaining in Melbourne in 2017 however has not travelled Down Beneath since 2021, whereas it’s two-and-a-half years since her final grand slam look outdoors of the US Open.
However a return to the courtroom final summer time after struggles with damage and her well being introduced pleasure and emotion for Williams, who claimed a primary singles match win for 2 years in Washington and reached the quarter-finals of the ladies’s doubles on the US Open with Leylah Fernandez.
Venus Williams, 45, will play at her first Australian Open since 2021 after receiving a wildcard
She indicated on the time that Australia may be a journey too far however a wild card was forthcoming and Williams gratefully accepted.
“You’ve got throw some red herrings, right,” she mentioned. “Also, I was getting married. I had two weddings coming up. It was a busy time for me, so I was focused on that.
“That is the best place on earth to play. I’ve had wonderful reminiscences right here. I like challenges, so I am up for the problem.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions reside on Sky Sports activities. Stream tennis, soccer, cricket, NFL and extra contract-free with NOW.
