Emma Raducanu is hopeful that her health issues are behind her as she gears up for her opening match at the French Open. The British number one will face Argentina's Solana Sierra in the first round on Sunday, marking only her second match since March after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to a post-viral illness.
Raducanu recently lost a closely contested match against Diane Parry in Strasbourg but emphasized that feeling healthy again is her top priority. "I feel a lot better," the 23-year-old said. "I thought I'd completely flipped it. I think there's just been a little bit of a lingering cough recently. But I feel health-wise really good."
She added: "I played a really positive match last week in Strasbourg in the sense it was over two hours, and I think physically I pulled up really well from it. So I'm happy to take that and build from it."
Unseeded in Paris
Raducanu's extended absence caused her to drop out of the top 32, leaving her unseeded at Roland Garros. While she avoided the biggest names in the draw, her opponent Sierra, ranked 64th, is comfortable on clay and made a surprise run to the fourth round of Wimbledon last year.
"She's a great player. It's going to be a really tricky first round, especially coming in light on matches, but I'm just proud of how I'm approaching every day, proud of the work I'm putting in," Raducanu said. "I know I'm going to have to play really good tennis and be aggressive. I feel like the conditions are pretty lively so far in the practice days, as the weather is hot, but I think that could be a good thing. I just want to go out there and try and play on my terms as much as I can."
Norrie and Fearnley Battle Injuries
Cameron Norrie, the 20th seed, is dealing with a rib injury but remains hopeful of competing. "I haven't been able to hit yet since I've arrived here, so just been enjoying Paris and resting," he said. "But I think I needed the rest, so maybe it's a good thing. I really know that I'm feeling the ball well. Luckily I'm scheduled on Tuesday, so I have some time to recover. Hopefully I can be good to play."
Norrie admitted he may have over-trained, including a five-set practice match against American Ben Shelton that lasted nearly five hours. He will face Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round.
Jacob Fearnley has also struggled with a rib issue this season and has found it challenging to replicate his stellar debut year on tour, winning just seven matches so far. He has started working with Andy Murray's former fitness trainer, Matt Little. Fearnley faces Juan Manuel Cerundolo, with the prospect of a second-round clash against world number one Jannik Sinner if he advances.
"I did go up the rankings pretty fast and maybe just didn't have the time to really reflect on it and appreciate it for what it was," Fearnley said. "And maybe got a little bit too far ahead of myself. Life in general, there's ups and downs, and just on a little bit of a down right now, but no reason why I can't get back up."
Other British Players in Action
Qualifier Toby Samuel will make his Grand Slam debut against eighth seed Alex De Minaur. In the women's draw, Katie Boulter takes on wild card Akasha Urhobo, while Fran Jones faces Beatriz Haddad Maia. A total of six British players are in the main draws.
