Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Em could be lonely this Xmas
BY
EMMA RADUCANU is prepared to do without her Christmas turkey as she sets her sights on the Australian Open title now.
The British 18-year-old stunned the world at the US Open two weeks ago when she became the first qualifier in the open era to win a Grand Slam.
And she is aiming to build on that triumph by winning in Melbourne in next season’s first Slam in January.
But players heading Down Under face having to cancel their Christmas at home – and spending it in a hotel room instead.
Qualifying for the tournament is expected to begin over the holiday period and end on Christmas Eve.
Stars in the main draw will also be flying out to Melbourne over the festive period, and are then expected to be in a quarantine bubble ahead of build-up tournaments.
Raducanu, who on
Friday announced she had ditched coach Andrew Richardson, said: “Whatever needs to be done to be able to play the Australian Open, I’ll do.
“It’s not even a battle in my mind. I want to be at the Australian Open, so whatever it takes to do, I’ll go.”
She could be given a wild card for Indian Wells next month and is entered for the Kremlin Cup in Moscow which starts on October 10.
Amazingly, despite her exploits in New York and at Wimbledon, Raducanu is yet to beat a player in the WTA top 10.
She said: “I want to beat anyone who’s in front of me. I’m hungry. I like to challenge myself. It’s going to be extremely difficult to beat a top 10 player – but I’m up for it.
“Even if I lose it would be a great learning experience.”
As for being highly fancied for Melbourne, Raducanu said: “After one tournament, you can’t really say I’m a favourite – I’m still so new to everything.”