Emma Raducanu attempting to improve physicality through new gym regime for French Open
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 May 2022
After openining up her French Open campaign with a win against teen sensation Linda Noskova, Emma Raducanu admitted that a new fitness regime has been central to her preparations.
Since stunning the world with her US Open victory last year, Emma Raducanu has not yet managed to build on her Grand Slam-winning performance, with the 19-year-old enduring a frustrating start to the 2022 season.
But the British No.1 silenced her critics earlier this week with a three-set victory over Czech breakthrough star Linda Noskova in the first round of the French Open.
Raducanu was forced to battle back from a set down, but she eventually found her rhythm and secured a 6-7 (4) 7-5 6-1 victory to set up a clash against Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Wednesday, May 25.
nice to meet u @rolandgarros 🗣🗣🫶🫶 pic.twitter.com/pOMMLafbbc
— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) May 23, 2022
And after her sealing the win, Raducanu revealed that she's embarked on a new fitness regime to help improve her physicality for the clay court tournament.
"I think that it [physicality] is definitely improving. One thing that I have been doing in the lead-up for this week and the whole of last week, I was doing a lot in the gym," said Raducanu.
"A lot before practice, after practice, just keeping all the muscles fired up. It's something I probably haven't really done before, train through tournaments.
"Yeah, I am pretty pleased with how I was out there physically, and I feel really good, to be honest."
On top of adding more gym work to her schedule, Raducanu added that she's looking to integrate more unpredictability to her game, after suggesting that she's lost the element of surprise since her US Open success.
Emma Raducanu remains undefeated in Round 1 matches at Grand Slams 💪 pic.twitter.com/l018VO5jLc
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) May 23, 2022
"I think definitely players kind of know more about me, and they would have seen me play more whereas last year, maybe if I was just a random qualifier, they wouldn't have put as much research or looking at me, how I would play.
"To counteract that I'm always looking to improve in all sorts of aspects. I think one was definitely physically, just to be able to last in the longer points, especially on the clay courts.
"Also just adding elements of unpredictability in whatever way that may be."
