Emma Raducanu issues ominous threat to rivals despite fresh injury setback for British star

Emma Raducanu has warned her rivals on the WTA Tour that she’ll be ready to ‘do some damage next year’ as she looks to put her injury troubles behind her. It’s been a year of trials and tribulations for Raducanu in 2024 after returning from her long lay-off. There were signs over the summer that she was rediscovering her best form after making the fourth round of Wimbledon.

But injury issues stagnated her progress once again with Raducanu playing in just three events since the British slam. She appeared hopeful of a strong finish to the season in the Asian swing and made a positive start at the Korea Open before sustaining an injury against Daria Kasatkina in the quarter-final. That foot injury forced Raducanu to pull out of both the China Open and Wuhan Open, where she was set to play in qualifying.

And the 21-year-old has now had to prolong her break from competitive tennis by pulling out of the Ningbo Open and the Guangzhou Open. The Hong Kong Open is Radcanu’s last chance to play this season before the Billie Jean King Cup Finals next month. But it’s clear that Raducanu already has her sights set on making a big impact on the WTA Tour next year. Currently ranked 53rd in the world, Raducanu is ready to make the jump in 2025 and put her injury troubles behind her.

“I’m prepared to work hard and do some damage next year,” Raducanu told Women’s Health magazine. The British No 2 has tried to remain positive throughout 2024 despite her progress being stunted by injury setbacks. Raducanu explains that she’s learned to focus on the positives and feels that shift in mindset will help her going forward. “There has been a lot of volatility over the past three years,” she added.

“And I think the most I’ve come into myself has been in the last few weeks. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is non-attachment; acknowledging that everything comes and goes. “Every moment is fleeting, and how you interact with the present dictates how you feel, the quality of your work, the quality of your relationships, and how much the people around you enjoy being with you.

“I’ve taught myself not to label things as black or white. For example, with this injury, I’m trying to catch myself and stop labelling it as like, ‘Oh, I’m so unlucky, this is so bad.’ “I’ve learnt to accept things and reframe them. I’m not completely unable to exercise, so I’ll still do things like yoga or Pilates – low-impact exercise, so I’m focusing on that. I’ve matured a lot in the last few weeks, to be honest.”