Emma Raducanu explains tearful appearance during US Open practice session

Emma Raducanu has played down fresh injury fears after an emotional display during a practice session ahead of her US Open defence.

The British star scheduled a session with Ekaterina Alexandrova but was forced to pause after around 40 minutes with her right hand appearing to be providing her with discomfort.

Raducanu quickly resumed but continued to look out of sorts, staring at her hand with a mixture of frustration and bewilderment.

The 19-year-old, who shot to global fame after her astonishing success at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago, appeared tearful following a consultation with her coach, Dimitry Tursunov, and took a further break during which she spoke with physio Will Herbert.

Raducanu later returned and finished her session without any further interruptions and subsequently insisted all was well.

She said: ‘I had a few small things, got a couple blisters, a bit of a niggle here and there.

‘It’s just one of those weird days where you feel a bit like nothing … I don’t know. You just feel a bit out of it.

‘I can’t really explain myself, to be honest. I’m sure everyone in this room has probably had a day like that. Yeah, it is what it is.’

Raducanu’s title defence will begin with a testing opener as she faces a tough first round match against the veteran Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, who has already beaten Iga Swiatek, Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza and Jelena Ostapenko across the three prior grand slam tournaments this year.

‘I think you guys are probably thinking more about pressure and ranking than me,’ she said.

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