Emma Raducanu, seeded 28th, lost to Anastasia Potapova with a score of 7:6 (3), 6:2, having lost a lead in the first set where she was ahead 5:3. She noted that the match was played under difficult weather conditions, and her physical state did not allow her to compete at full strength throughout the match.
The tennis player shared her thoughts: "I don't want to be too hard on myself, as I know how my preparation for this tournament went. I leave with my head held high. Initially, I even doubted that I would be able to come to Australia, so the very fact of participating is a positive moment for me."
At the age of 23, Raducanu acknowledged that she felt discomfort during the match and couldn't "grasp" every point. Her preparation for the tournament was once again jeopardized due to physical ailments: she had a foot injury during the off-season, and she was only able to start full training a few days before the season began.
She also noted that the quality of her serve and forehand play was below her usual level, which was related to insufficient preparation. Nevertheless, despite the early exit, Raducanu emphasized the importance of the matches played for her physical condition.
Now, the former US Open champion plans to focus on recovery and returning to her aggressive baseline game, which contributed to her rapid rise in the world tennis rankings.
