Emma Raducanu still 'trying to figure everything out' after frustrating start to year ahead of Indian Wells

Emma Raducanu has described a string of misfortunes this year as a “spanner in the works” for her career development – but is prepared for the “bumpy” ride. Raducanu pulled off one of the biggest shocks in tennis history last summer when she came through qualifying to win the US Open title. Ad/> But she hasn’t been able to build much momentum since, with a positive Covid-19 test in December the first setback to her preparations for 2022.

WTA Indian WellsGauff speaks out against Florida 'Don't say gay' bill3 HOURS AGO She then suffered from blisters at the Australian Open and was a doubt to play the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells this week due to a leg injury. «I was hoping for a really good pre-season in December which didn't happen because I got Covid,” said Raducanu ahead of her second-round match against Caroline Garica. “And then I took three weeks off, and then in Australia, I kind of felt the effect of that because I got blisters because my hands got soft and then I got a leg injury, but it's all part of it.

A spanner in the works. »I feel like I can take all the bad luck that is thrown at me after all the good fortune I had last year. But, yeah, it's frustrating because I was hoping to kind of build on it." Evert: More pressure on Raducanu now Osaka returns to Indian Wells 'at peace' Indian Wells preview: Who will win? Indian Wells was the next stop for Raducanu after her memorable US Open win last September.

With all eyes on her she was beaten in her first match in straight sets by Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Her profile has continued to rise since then, including several big sponsorship deals, and she admits she is still getting used to her new life. “Still trying to figure everything out and everything is still