Emma Raducanu enjoys the buzz in Paris as she keeps focus on gym work

After enjoying a solid clay court season, nonetheless filled with various injury niggles, Emma Raducanu arrives at her first senior French Open content with her progress but still figuring out how to optimally manage her body as a professional athlete. Raducanu says that she is still in the process of learning about her body, and she has been increasing her work in the gym in the hope of strengthening it and building up its resistance to injuries.

“I think it’s something I’m definitely learning to enjoy with each bit that I do,” she said of her focus on gym work. “I kind of get that positive reinforcement and I feel really good about myself and each time I feel like even if I do a little bit, I’m getting better and it’s something that I think helps you mentally as well if you know that you definitely put the work in. I’m gonna be out there, I’m gonna outlast or be fitter than my opponent on the other side of the court and it’s definitely something that I want to continue.”

Raducanu arrived in Paris on Thursday, her first time back at the French Open since she contested the junior event in 2018, and in the afternoon she trained before a crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Such is the enduring buzz around her, a solid crowd was on show to watch her play and cheer her various drop shots. After retiring against Bianca Andreescu with a back injury in Rome and appearing unsure of whether she would be fit in time for the French Open, she says she is moving freely now and enjoying her practices again.

“I’m learning about my body, for sure, but I’m very happy to be continuing my preparations for the French Open and to be able to play this tournament and fortunately I didn’t have to miss this grand slam,” said Raducanu. “That is