By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, October 17, 2024
Capping a fairy-tale 2021 US Open last, Emma Raducanu raised the title trophy and Leylah Fernandez hoisted the runner-up plate.
Each girls have shouldered their share of ache and struggling since.
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A fired-up Fernandez fought off Katerina Siniakova 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a spirited Hong Kong last to seize her third profession title final weekend.
That title run vaulted Fernandez 17 spots within the rankings as much as No. 43.
Afterward, Fernandez instructed Nicolas Atkin of South China Morning Put up, she and Raducanu have every endured rising pains since their implausible Flushing Meadows fortnight two years in the past, however believes each can look ahead to their finest tennis forward.
“Properly, 2021 was a particular event for each of us, we each did extraordinary issues not many individuals get to expertise,” Fernandez instructed South China Morning Put up. “I used to be capable of beat a few High 10 gamers, ex-champions.
“Emma, she got here via the qualifying, so we each needed to undergo some difficulties, and afterwards, I believe it was arduous on each of us adjusting to the brand new life.”
The 21-year-old Fernandez, who reached the 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinals, says she’s satisfied a “hungry” Raducanu will return from a number of surgical procedures and ultimately regain her finest stage.
“However no less than for me, I attempted to encompass myself with an awesome group of individuals,” Fernandez stated. “I do know Emma is working arduous, I do know she is hungry, she has one thing to show, so I’m certain she’s going to come back again and play some nice tennis.”
Rehabbing from ankle surgical procedure and surgical procedures to each wrists she underwent in Might, a recovering Raducanu eyes a aggressive comeback in 2024.
The 20-year-old Raducanu, who celebrates her twenty first birthday on November thirteenth, wrapped an injury-plagued 2023 season posting a 5-5 report. Raducanu resumed hitting on August 2nd and instructed the BBC final month she has been coaching repeatedly.
The A hundred and fiftieth-ranked Briton made historical past as the primary participant—man or girl—to play via qualifying and seize a Grand Slam singles title on the 2021 US Open. That phenomenal Flushing Meadows triumph accelerated Raducanu’s studying curve and, she stated, uncovered her to the “sharks” throughout the sport.
“I needed to mature in a short time,” Raducanu instructed The Sunday Occasions. “Once I received I used to be extraordinarily naive. What I’ve realized up to now two years, the tour and every thing that comes with it, it is not a really good, trusting and secure area.
“It’s a must to be on guard as a result of there are a variety of sharks on the market. I believe folks within the business, particularly with me as a result of I used to be 19, now 20, they see me as a piggy financial institution. “It has been troublesome to navigate.”
Fernandez says she’s hoping to resume her rivalry with a resurgent Raducanu, who “has one thing particular for the WTA.”
“Hopefully we do see her as a result of she is nice for the game,” Fernandez stated. “She has obtained one thing particular for the WTA and for girls’s tennis.
“Hopefully we are able to each compete on the highest stage as soon as once more facet by facet.”
Picture credit score: Getty