- Emma Raducanu was forced to use a scooter as she recovered from an ankle injury
- The 2021 US Open champion has fallen to 298 in the world rankings after her absence
- She will make her return to the circuit on Monday during the Auckland Classic
Emma Raducanu believes her injury-related break from tennis hasn't stopped her progress into becoming a better tennis player.
The 2021 US Open champion missed most of the 2023 season following surgeries on both her wrists and one of her ankles, and it has now resulted in her sliding down the rankings to 298th in the world placed.
But the 21-year-old returns to the circuit with an appearance at the Auckland Classic on New Year's Day, and detailed her injury problems in an interview before her first match of the season.
Raducanu told Sky Sports: “I was playing and then I got the patch where I couldn't play for two months because of one of my wrists.
'That was very difficult because I felt like I was just getting going and then I took a step back.
Emma Raducanu believes she is a better tennis player than before her injury absence
The British star used a scooter after surgery on her ankle and procedures on her wrists
'It was difficult, especially the first months. When you're so used to being active and moving all the time, and then suddenly everything is just cut off from you.
'I had two wrists and one foot [injured] so I couldn't even use crutches. I actually had something like a scooter, where you pushed yourself with one leg.
'It was really difficult. I couldn't really go anywhere. I couldn't go to the supermarket; Imagine being so immobile.
“I think it definitely fueled the fire to get back to work and made me appreciate just being healthy.”
A protected ranking means she will participate in the main draw of the Auckland Classic, and Raducanu believes that she will come out of her absence better than before the many injuries.
Raducanu revealed: 'Physically, during the training in recent weeks, I am hitting the ball very well.
'I think I'm a better tennis player than before the break.'
She noted that LTA officials saw her training and playing “really, really well,” pushing weights she couldn't do before.
“I am really confident in my body, which is very nice and I also feel good tennis-wise,” she said.
'The point now is to turn it into a competition, which is of course very different from practice. I know that will come over time, as long as the level is there and improving.'
The 2021 US Open champion has now dropped in the rankings to 298th in the world
A protected ranking means she will make her return to the Auckland Classic on January 1
The British tennis player will play a qualifying match in the first round of the New Zealand event on Monday, and if she wins it, she will face Caroline Wozniacki or Elina Svitolina in the second round.
Raducanu is eager to get started in Auckland and says she fears no opponent despite the potential of a heavyweight opponent in her second bout back from injury.
She said: “The field here in Auckland is extremely strong. I'm excited to play against someone. It doesn't bother me.
“I think match-wise it can take a while to adapt to the feeling of nerves before the match or just the match condition. But in terms of level I feel very good.'
The former top ten player will have to qualify for the Australian Open after missing out on a wildcard for the first Grand Slam of 2024.
She attempted to step away from the 2023 tour while she recovered, only going to Wimbledon for work commitments, and says she feels “refreshed” as a result of her time away from tennis.