Emma Raducanu is “optimistic and positive” forward of an Italian Open marketing campaign she says presents a “fresh start” underneath new path.
The 22-year-old returns to the clay seeking to bounce again from her second-round exit on the Madrid Open.
The previous US Open champion faces a first-round match towards an unknown qualifier in Rome, with world No 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova awaiting her in spherical two if she progresses.
Raducanu will make her second profession look on the Italian Open and first since she retired injured in a first-round loss to Canada’s Bianca Andreescu on her event debut in 2022.
“It does feel new [in Rome], I didn’t even know where half of the things were here, I think they upgraded a lot since I last came,” she advised Sky Sports activities.
“It’s thrilling, it does really feel like a little bit of a contemporary begin with the best way I’m approaching every part, with the individuals I’ve round, with my mindset and outlook.
“I feel more optimistic, I feel pretty positive about things going forward. I’m just taking it day by day and trying to stay consistent.”
Raducanu’s new-look coaching underneath Petchey
Raducanu continues to work with coach Mark Petchey, who she revealed is aiding her transition away from technique-focused coaching.
“He’s not a super technical coach, there are certain tweaks, as always, but that is something I am going away from,” she added.
“I have been very technical in the past, there has been a time and a place for that because I needed to make improvements.
“However any more, it is extra about doing the precise issues, taking the ball on extra, and simply repetition of sure drills and patterns, which he is superb at organising.”
She continued: “It is a good problem for my recreation. I need to work on doing issues in a different way to attempt to bridge the hole between the place I’m now and the place I need to be.
“I’m going to use the season to take pressure off, try and be more aggressive and play the way I want to more so, so it can help me on the other surfaces.”
Boulter focusing on continued clay-court enchancment
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Katie Boulter speaks forward of the Rome Open as she appears to construct her efficiency throughout the clay season and strengthen earlier than happening to play on her favour floor of grass
Katie Boulter heads to Rome looking for extra progress, having secured her first WTA win on a clay courtroom on the Madrid Open earlier than her second-round exit by the hands of Jasmine Paolini.
“It was a good start to the season,” the British No 1 advised Sky Sports activities. “It was nice to get the first win out of the way and really feel like I’ve started playing matches and properly get into the clay season.”
Boulter continues to be adjusting to clay-court tennis and has the added dimension of situations within the Italian capital to deal with as she faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in spherical one.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights of the Madrid Open match between Jasmine Paolini and Katie Boulter
“Playing in Rome is a totally different ball game,” she added. “It can be difficult and tricky to manoeuvre. The courts are heavy, the balls are heavy, and if you play at night, it can be even heavier.
“To enhance on a clay courtroom, loads of it’s about physicality and believing I can win. Understanding my recreation can translate onto a clay courtroom is half of it. That has come a great distance since final yr, the place I felt confused, whereas this yr I do know what I am doing a bit extra on the market.”
Boulter, who has moved into the world’s top 40, hopes her improved performances on clay can act as the perfect preparation for the upcoming grass court season.
“The most important factor for me is staying realistically constructive,” she continued. “I do know my tennis is there, my degree is there, in any other case I would not have that rating by my title if I could not play tennis to a sure degree.
“You have to keep your mind in check, keep working hard for the grass court season and if something comes out of the clay courts that is the best thing possible because if I improve physically on the clay I know the grass is going to be even easier.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Discover out all of the methods to observe tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA excursions
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, in addition to the US Open in New York, stay on Sky Sports activities in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
