Emma Raducanu’s Health Improves Ahead of French Open
Emma Raducanu, the British No 1, is optimistic that her health issues are now behind her as she prepares for her first-round match at the French Open. She will face Argentina’s Solana Sierra on Sunday, marking only her second match since March after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to a post-viral illness.
Raducanu recently competed in Strasbourg, where she played her opening match this week. Despite the recent health setback, the 23-year-old emphasized that feeling healthy is her primary focus.
“I feel a lot better,” she said.
“I thought I’d completely flipped it. I think there’s just been a little bit of a lingering cough recently. But I feel, health-wise, really good. I played a really positive match last week in Strasbourg in the sense it was over two hours, and I think physically I pulled up really well from it. So I’m happy to take that and build from it.”
Ranking and Opponent Details
Raducanu’s extended absence caused her to drop out of the top 32, resulting in her being unseeded in Paris. While she has avoided facing top-seeded players in the first round, her opponent, 21-year-old Solana Sierra, ranked 64th, is very comfortable on clay courts. Sierra notably made a surprise run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.
Raducanu commented on her opponent:
“She’s a great player. It’s going to be a really tricky first round, especially coming in light on matches, but I’m just proud of how I’m approaching every day, proud of the work I’m putting in.
“I know I’m going to have to play really good tennis and be aggressive. I feel like the conditions are pretty lively so far in the practice days, as the weather is hot, but I think that could be a good thing. I just want to go out there and try and play on my terms as much as I can.”
British Contenders and Injuries
With Jack Draper sidelined due to injury, Cameron Norrie appeared to be the leading British contender for a deep run in the tournament. However, the 20th seed revealed he is currently managing a rib injury.
“I haven’t been able to hit yet since I’ve arrived here, so just been enjoying Paris and resting,” Norrie said. “But I think I needed the rest, so maybe it’s a good thing. I really know that I’m feeling the ball well. Luckily I’m scheduled on Tuesday, so I have some time to recover. Hopefully I can be good to play.”
Norrie also admitted that he may have over-trained in preparation, including playing a five-set training match against American Ben Shelton that lasted nearly five hours.
There are six British players competing in the main draws. Alongside Norrie in the men’s singles are Jacob Fearnley and qualifier Toby Samuel. Fearnley has also been contending with a rib problem this season and has struggled to replicate the success of his impressive first season on tour, winning only seven matches this year. He has the potential reward of a second-round match against world No 1 Jannik Sinner if he can defeat Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
The 24-year-old Fearnley, who has begun working with Andy Murray’s former fitness trainer Matt Little, reflected on his recent challenges:
“I did go up the rankings pretty fast and maybe just didn’t have the time to really reflect on it and appreciate it for what it was. And maybe got too far ahead of myself. Life in general, there’s ups and downs, and just on a little bit of a down right now, but no reason why I can’t get back up.”
Qualifier Toby Samuel will face the eighth seed, Australia’s Alex De Minaur, in his first Grand Slam appearance. In the women’s draw, Katie Boulter will play wild card Akasha Urhobo, while Fran Jones is set to meet former semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia.
