Raducanu acknowledges that his father had a big influence on his approach: “I have always been very intellectually curious from a very young age. I think my father was someone who always pushed me to think, to ask questions. I got my logical side from him and my resilient side from my mother,” she said on BBC Radio 4. “So I think maybe I shape and frame differently the way I train or the way I approach certain decisions. And I think that gives me an advantage because I’m not necessarily the biggest hitter, or the strongest, or the fastest. But I think I can use my brain in a way that can give me an advantage.
Raducanu’s injury-plagued season meant she was only able to play 10 matches this year before leaving the field in April. In May, she underwent three surgeries on her wrists and ankle and spent the summer rehabbing in preparation for her return to the field. As a result, she experienced a sharp drop in rankings to 280th in the world.
But Raducanu seemed optimistic about returning to the tour at the start of next season and said she was looking forward to the challenge of being a lower-ranked player.
She also felt that she had “15 years” of her career left and, for this reason, was in no “immediate rush” to represent Britain at the Paris Olympics next summer.
She admitted she didn’t even know she still had a chance of qualifying, as players must record a certain number of appearances for their country in the Billie Jean King Cup team event in order to qualify. to the Olympic criteria. But exceptions are made for players who have suffered long-term injuries, so Raducanu could still have a chance to compete in her first Games next summer.
“I didn’t even know I could still play,” she said. “I was like, oh, I can’t make the Olympics. I had no idea. It is obvious that the Olympic Games represent an important milestone in sport. I think I could play four more if I really wanted to. So, I think for me, this one isn’t about rushing or pressing immediately, it’s just about getting back on the field. I love Grand Slams, but of course I would like to have the Olympic experience. I’ll just see how it goes, if I qualify.
