AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2022

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

D. KOVINIC/E. Raducanu

6-4, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: That match turned into a real battle. To begin with, tell us some of your initial thoughts on the match.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it was a difficult match. I, you know, was struggling with my hand before the match. There were some people in my team that, you know, maybe didn't want me to play, but I wanted to go out there and fight through it, you know, see how far I could get.

But I thought it was a pretty good learning experience for me. You know, I discovered tools about myself and my game that I didn't know I had before, so yeah, I can take some positives even from this match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. In terms of the things you learned about yourself tonight, could you tell us a bit more about what those were? In particular, was the slice forehand something you had worked on particularly before tonight's match?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think anyone that knows me knows I do not hit slice forehands. Probably hit more in that match than I have in two, three years. That was definitely one thing I learned, that nice slice forehand is not so bad and I have some sort of hand skills. That was a positive surprise, I would say, for myself.

But also, I was just proud of how I kept fighting even in those situations where I was, I'm really struggling here, I can't really do much, but I just kept hanging in there.

Yeah, proud of that, as well.

Q. When did you develop the blister? How painful was it trying to hit through with that?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I have been struggling with blisters since I started playing really in Australia, because 21 days, no tennis, my hands got pretty soft. From day one, day two, I was getting blisters pop up here and there. This particular one has been with me for about five days, and I have been trying to like tape it for every practice, and it would like harden and dry out, but then once I would play again, like another layer would just keep ripping off.

It ended up being pretty deep. But, I mean, it's a bit annoying, because I know it's something that will heal in like a few days, but it's just unfortunate timing.

Q. Do you have problems with blisters before? Did you consider stopping, retiring at any point tonight?

EMMA RADUCANU: I mean, I have had blisters before but never this bad. I mean, it's quite deep and it's just in a very awkward position that it's so difficult to tape.

We have tried so many different alternatives, and they all end up falling off or making me have no feel of my racquet, so it's trying to find that balance.

Of course, I mean, that thought when I was slicing forehands and really struggling, I was, like, you know, Do I? But I didn't want to -- as I said, some people in my team didn't want me to even go out there. So I fought so hard just to come out to Australia and play here, and I didn't want to go out like that. So I just left it all out on the court. Yeah, after everything I kind of went through.

Q. The second set you hit almost exclusively slice forehands, but then in the third set you started hitting the topspin a bit more. Wondering why that changed.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, it's weird. I don't know. Obviously the slice forehand worked, but there were situations where, because I'm not -- I mean, it's not like my most comfortable shot or my first choice. I didn't know how far it could take me. But also when Danka would hit the ball heavy and spinny to my forehand side, it's very difficult to slice that shot when it's coming heavy and deep. It's much easier when it's lower and a bit flatter. I felt like her ball was tougher to hit a slice on.

But yeah, I mean, to get that second set with basically one shot I think, I can't believe it, really (smiling).

Q. For the benefit of laymen at home who don't understand what is so important about a blister to a tennis player and just think, Oh, it's a little thing, why can't they just get on with it and play through it, can you explain what exactly it does to a tennis player with a blister like the situation like today?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, in a way, I sort of think the same, like how can a small thing like a blister cause so much pain and aggravation, but it's just the position of it. It's right in the crease, it's so deep. I just can't grip the racquet. Like every time I hit, make contact with the ball, it would create an impact. Or, say, I hit one slightly off center and the racquet moves a bit in my hand, it's just like even more friction and it rips again.

So it's very painful, like every single shot you really hit.

Q. During the match, do you at times, I saw you smiling and laughing to your box after certain points with the slice forehand. What was going through your mind? I'm sure it was a weird and strange, frustrating kind of moment.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I was obviously aware, due to the situation, that could be my last time playing out on the court, I don't really expect to be winning matches with just a slice forehand. So I wanted to just enjoy it.

And also, just some situations or some points, I mean, it was a bit of disbelief at those shots I was pulling out or some of the rallies.

Yeah, I mean, I was out there and trying my best, so I was just trying to make the most out of it, really.

Q. You have played a Grand Slam tournament now as a Grand Slam champion. What do you think are the biggest things you'll take away from this whole trip and sort of looking ahead to the rest of the season?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I really enjoy playing the Grand Slams. I think that the takeaways is tough. The start of the year, I mean, I still think I can take some positives out of it. You know, I did discover elements of my game I didn't know I had before, and I can use that going forward.

And also, I just know that I've got that fight in me, even if I have got, like, one shot, I know that I can pull myself out of deep situations. Whereas, because I'm still young, I feel like I can learn a backhand, I can learn some sort of tactics, but it's quite hard to learn or teach someone that fight and grittiness to hang in there when things are pretty much all against you. So I'm quite proud of that.

Q. Is it in some ways a relief, given how painful it is, that you're not going to have to go out there and play a former World No. 1 with an injury like that?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I don't think you're getting very far against Simona with a slice forehand. Not gonna lie (smiling).

Q. Do you know what your plans are for the next couple of months? I presume the Fed Cup is involved, but the tournaments you're likely to play, will you be the sort of person that plays tournaments every week or will you sort of pick and choose your calendar?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, honestly I just kind of came off court, so I don't really know.

But I know that after this I've got a few weeks where I want to try and do as much of catchup as possible in terms of like fitness and my preseason, because I missed it actually in December.

So try and do a bit of work there. There is not much time, but, I mean, there is some tournaments in Mexico or the Middle East, and it's just a matter of that before Indian Wells.

Q. In terms of physicality, how far behind do you think you are where you wanted to be? I appreciate that's a bit of a vague question, but do you think you're a month away, two months, a week? Do you know what kind of state you're in?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I thought like playing matches, load is definitely different. It's something that you can't really replicate in practice, but also because of the lack of practice I have been doing, you know, I can't really tell, because it's my first real test with it.

Today especially, you know, I feel, because I was only slicing my forehand, I was having to run a lot and move a lot and try and make up for the points that way, somehow finding like a scrape or a shot out of nowhere. It definitely took its toll towards the end of the third set I was really feeling it physically, as well.

I feel like -- I mean, I'm going to for sure get fit just playing tournaments week in, week out. Like I was just on court 2 hours 40, so that's got to do something for my fitness. But I really feel like I need to dedicate some time to it, as well.

Q. You were saying before about the blisters, that it kind of affected you, it's been affecting you for kind of five days. Did you consider kind of taking a day off from training? Do you think that could have helped? Is it something that maybe you'll take going forward maybe if this were to happen again?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I actually wasn't hitting forehands in practice the last few days. I was only saving it for my match. I wasn't hitting serves, either. So the only thing I was really practicing was my backhand.

Yeah, I didn't even practice many chip forehands really, because I was just going to try and like save everything for my match, but, yeah, so my practice came in the match today.

Q. You spoke about the elements of your game. Do you think adding such a variety to your game will help you in the future?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I definitely think that the variety helps. I think that maybe some of the girls aren't used to it. That was probably an element of surprise for my opponent today who wasn't expecting me to be doing that.

It was pretty effective, so if I can mix that with my aggressive game style, I think that would be a really good and dangerous combination going forward.