Emma Raducanu 'very motivated' for 'challenge' of first clay season on WTA Tour ahead of Billie Jean King Cup

Emma Raducanu says she is “very motivated” to continue to improve as she prepares for the «challenge» of her first professional season on clay. Raducanu, 19, was a shock winner at the US Open last summer just a few months after making her debut on the WTA Tour. Ad/> She is now set to play on clay for the first time at senior level when Great Britain face Czech Republic in the Billie Jean King Cup this weekend.

Fed Cup SinglesRaducanu leads GB in Billie Jean King Cup, but what's at stake and will they win?18 HOURS AGO She will then start her WTA clay season at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart from April 18. The tournament boasts a strong field that includes world No.1 Iga Swiatek and eight of the top 10 players in the world. ‟It will be challenging but I have already won matches against some of these players in my short experience on tour,” Raducanu told the tournament website.

Billie Jean King Cup: What's at stake? Will GB win? 'Rehab is rocking' — Federer posts update on comeback bid “It would be very motivating to add to my wins against the best players in the world, especially on clay where I have little experience as there aren’t really any clay courts in the UK. “This clay season with the French Open as the highlight will be an interesting challenge, but one I am looking forward to.” Raducanu has had a difficult start to the season with injuries and illness stalling her progress. She has only two wins in 2021 so far but showed some encouraging signs in close defeats in her last outings at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

“I am excited to play my first ever WTA tournament on clay,” she said. “It’s nice that it’s the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. I’ve been following the event since I was young and for me it was