Emma Raducanu has sent a fearless warning to the rest of the field ahead of her debut match at Indian Wells. The teen is set to play her first match since her triumphant US Open victory last month and many are wondering if she will be able to back up her maiden grand slam title with another big title in the Californian desert.
Ahead of her opening match at the Masters event, the Bromley local seemed very relaxed and is just focused on enjoying herself out on the court.
“I haven’t got to the point of feeling any pressure yet. I will let you know when that happens. But not right now. I am just enjoying myself playing in venues and locations like here in Indian Wells,” she said.
“I mean it’s just amazing. It is a step up to where I was playing in the lower 25s. I feel grateful to be able to be here and I am enjoying the moment.
She added: “There are still so many tournaments on the Tour I haven’t played. I am really looking forward to doing it.
“I was enjoying myself so much in the States in New York. It got me to the final. I will carry on and see where that takes me.”
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If Raducanu is to lift the Indian Wells title, she will have to do it the hard way after being handed a very tough draw.
She will face Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich in round one and if victorious, Raducanu could set up a third round showdown with Simona Halep, one of her biggest inspirations.
An incredible victory against the former World No 1 would set up matches against more of the best on the WTA tour.
Raducanu is in the same half of the draw as multi-time grand slam champions Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova, world number seven Elina Svitolina, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who she defeated at the US Open, and 2020 Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek.
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The teenager could also face Sorana Cirstea, the World No 40 who she beat 6-3 7-6 in the third round at Wimbledon.
Raducanu will be competing at Indian Wells with a temporary coach as she has yet to choose one for the long-term.
Former British number one Jeremy Bates, who is the coach compatriot Katie Boulter, is in California working with her this week while the search for a full-time coach goes on.
“Jeremy is part of women’s tennis at the LTA so while he’s here he’s helping me out.
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“But going forward, I’m just going to wait and try to find the right person. I’m not going to rush into anything and yeah I want to make sure that I make the right decision.
“At the moment I’m confident I know that even though I’m quite young, I’ve got a lot of experience banked.”
She added: “And at the end of the day you’re out there on your own and you have to be your own coach on the court.
“I’m pretty comfortable but I’m just looking for the general things in a coach really – someone that you get along with well and someone who can push you.”
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