Emma Raducanu injury progression made as Brit takes first huge step

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Emma Raducanu has showcased her first big step of progress in her recovery from the wrist injury that cut her 2022 season short. The 20-year-old has returned to hitting with her right hand for the first time since being forced to pull out of the Billie Jean King Cup, just days after she first returned to a tennis court.

Raducanu’s first full season on the pro tennis tour ended early when she was forced to withdraw from the Transylvania Open and BJK Cup Finals with a right wrist injury. The British No 1 has been plagued by injuries this year, retiring from a match on four separate occasions, but has been working on her strength and fitness over the off-season to try and prevent more physical issues in the future.

While training in the gym, the 2021 US Open champion had been unable to practise her tennis but returned to a court for the first time last Thursday with a noticeable difference as she hit balls using her left, non-playing hand while her wrist continued to recover. And she has now taken her first major step since getting injured as she hit balls with her right hand for the first time on Monday.

Sharing some footage of one of her practice sessions on Monday evening, the world No 75 wrote: “Sometimes practice right handed too. Missed this big time.” Raducanu could be seen serving, rallying from the baseline, practising shots close to the net and working on her groundstrokes in the new video from her pre-season.

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It comes at a perfect time, with the Brit set to play an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi in less than three weeks’ time. Raducanu will face world No 2 Ons Jabeur at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship on December 16 after being forced to pull out of her exhibition match against Belinda Bencic at the same tournament last year after testing positive for Covid.

It was Jabeur who stepped in at the last minute and won the match, so the two-time Grand Slam finalist will come into the single women’s match at the Championship as the defending champion. After the clash, Raducanu will start her season at the ASB Classic in Auckland after failing to sign up to join Britain’s team for the new United Cup tournament.

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“I’m really looking forward to coming to New Zealand,” the former world No 10 said. “I  have heard that the tournament in New Zealand is great for players and fans.

“New Zealand is known for its beautiful landscape and nature, so I hope I can get to explore some of the other beautiful parts whilst in my time there.”

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