BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 17, 2024

Emma Raducanu

Team Great Britain

Press Conference

E. RADUCANU/R. Marino

6-0, 7-5

Team Canada - 0

Team Great Britain - 1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk us through the first set and how it changed in the second and the difficulty behind it.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's always difficult actually when you win a set so, in a way, comfortably by the scoreline, because you almost think in your head, like, okay, something might go wrong here, there is no way I'm going to cruise through the entire match.

So I was expecting it. Especially with a player like Rebecca, who is a big server, big ball striker, I kind of expected that she was going to start taking big cuts at the ball. Fair play to her in the second set. She really did and was actually landing a lot of them on the run, fast.

So I knew how important my own service games were, and I'm really, really proud of how I kind of fended off those seven breakpoints in the second set, and yeah, managed to sneak a break at 5-All.

Q. At 3-4 in the second set, you had four breakpoints against you. You hit your first serve in every time. How pleased were you with that and how that came through for you today?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'm very pleased. I think it helped me out a lot in some big moments. You know, I hit a few double faults, but I think I take them with a grain of salt when I can serve my way out of the trouble, as well. I think it's part of the process of improving it and being a bigger server.

I'm really pleased with how I managed to step up on those big points, big moments. I think I just need to keep reminding myself those clutch situations is where I really kind of thrive and I really enjoy them for the most part.

Q. I'm curious what this kind of experience means to you in this environment. Is there anything that you appreciate more in this kind of environment now that maybe when you were younger you wouldn't have known that was something you would have taken out of this?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, really, the more I play Billie Jean King Cup, the more I enjoy it, the more I feel like the stakes are so high but in a really relaxed and exciting way.

So, yeah, I'm really happy to be a part of this team and really happy to be able to kind of put some good level out in my singles matches. I haven't played for two months, so for me, it's a really good kind of introduction to match play.

But, yeah, I'm playing some really tough opponents and not to be underestimated by their rankings on these surfaces, because, I mean, both are very dangerous. I was one point away from probably losing the second set and then being in a battle.

So I'm really pleased with how I fought and how I'm faring up against these top girls.

Q. Have you managed to see anything of Rafa yet? What's kind of the vibe like behind the scenes building up to his farewell?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I actually practiced next to him yesterday, which was really cool. I was on the court next to him.

He's really cool. I mean, there is a lot of people around him, for sure, but even still, he said hi. He was really nice and polite and humble. It's always great seeing him rip forehands. I can't wait to watch him play.

Q. You mentioned the fact that you had that sort of break where you weren't playing. With the end of the season coming up, I'm curious, will that affect how you plan your offseason? Will you do things differently than perhaps if you had played a full season all the way through?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think traditionally you'd probably have a bit of a break after Billie Jean King Cup, and, like, take a holiday or something.

But I feel like I have had four, five weeks off tennis, and I don't really need any more time off. You know, if anything, I'm excited and just itchy to kind of get on the practice court, and of course seeing some of my performances this week, it just incentivizes me to do more work.

Yeah, I can already pick out which areas I want to improve and, yeah, look forward to 2025 and to a strong preseason.

Q. I just wonder if you can talk a little bit about the conditions. It seems like it really suits you, the indoor conditions. Do you think that's something new in your mind, or is that something you have always known about your game?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think growing up in London, you don't play outdoors very often, just because of the weather. So I'm quite used to playing indoors and comfortable.

There is no external conditions like wind or sun to deal with. That's something that I think I got better as the year went on playing outside.

I think the indoor conditions also suited the opponents I was playing, because they are also big ball strikers, big servers. Yeah, I think I would love to spend some more time outside. For Australia, I might head out a little bit earlier.

Q. How frustrated were you after Seoul and how it ended? And how significant is it for you to finish your season playing at this level regardless of what happens with the team?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, of course, I wanted to continue in the Asia swing. I think I was playing some good tennis again in Seoul, and I was really feeling pretty good on those courts out there.

You know, unfortunately I injured my foot. There were so many tournaments, and I wasn't defending any points at the back end of the year, so of course I wanted to play. I think I just took the time and used it in a really proactive and productive way.

Yeah, I come back now, I feel like everything happens for a reason. It gave me time to work on certain things. Two days ago I served 10 aces, for example, which I did in Seoul in my last match, but it's been a work in progress. It doesn't just happen overnight.

Even if I was a little bit at the time disappointed, now I feel pretty good, and I don't look back with any regrets.

Q. Can I ask about your assessment of the whole season? Coming back after such a long time out, are you happy with the progress you have made over the year?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think I started the year off pretty well for the first half, you know, up to Wimbledon. Then I struggled a little bit more with my body I think physically. Wasn't able to play the full calendar and stay on court as much as I would have liked.

But my assessment is, you know, I think sometimes I need reminding, I'm top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way.

I have to pat myself on the back for that. I know I'm a dangerous player. I know no one wants to pull my name in the draw. I take pride in that, and I'm looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.

Q. You have experience now of getting injured, taking some time off, having to take some time off. Wondering just from a mental approach, how do you deal with them now? You just mentioned it was disappointing, but I'm curious if there has been any different perspective that you see these breaks and that's why maybe you're able to be more proactive?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think you just have to use whatever cards that you're dealt. I think you can't change a situation or I couldn't in that moment. You know, not trying to live in the past or the future, just being present. You know, trying to adapt with what you've got.

I think I knew there are certain things I could improve, and I just really took the time. You know, just thought about my game differently. Practiced those things, and I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot with my tennis right now.

I think the biggest challenge after a long layoff is more the introduction to match play again. It's so different. The difference between a practice match and a real stakes match, that is another transition.

I think I have done that pretty well so far. Yeah, I'm looking forward to kind of building confidence with each match I play.