Emma Raducanu feels her best is still yet to come after reaching the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open where she will face world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
The British tennis ace dropped down the rankings following her lengthy spell out recovering from surgery on both her wrists.
But she’s now got to the point of the season where every match win will result in a huge points boost to get her back up the rankings and towards the world’s top 100 again.
Raducanu has made slow progress since making her return from injury this year, but she’s found good form this past week.
Emma Raducanu is through to the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open
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The 21-year-old won both her games against France last week to help Great Britain progress to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
And she’s taken that momentum into the Stuttgart Open this week where she’s registered impressive wins over Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova.
Her win over the Czech Republic star will see Raducanu jump up 82 places in the rankings to 221st.
But Raducanu still believes her best is yet to come in a positive sign for where she feels her game is at.
“I am not too surprised because I have been working really hard on the training court and I knew it was just a matter of time,” she said.
“This isn’t my best, I still have a long way to go.
“I am just really happy the rewards are starting to come on the match court.
“You know how it is when you are training day in, day out you feel like the results aren’t going your way.
Emma Raducanu is set to jump up the rankings
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“It is never that far away, that is something I am learning.
“Going through everything I have been through gives you a different appreciation, there is nothing like playing in front of fans and playing good tennis.”
Raducanu could climb even higher up the rankings if she makes it through to the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open, but she’ll have to get past world No 1 Swiatek.
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Iga Swiatek has won both her previous matches against Emma Raducanu
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The 2021 US Open champion has lost both previous matches to Swiatek, but feels a lot has changed since their last meeting.
She said: “We played here two years ago in the quarters. I have come a long way in two years, and she has achieved a lot.
“I have nothing to lose, I can swing and enjoy it. Hopefully recover in time. I’m good.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
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