Emma Raducanu has spoken publicly for the first time about her new relationship with PR expert John Friend, 32, after the pair were photographed getting cosy on a park bench in Battersea Park earlier this month. The British No.1, who is managing a lower-leg niggle ahead of her Wimbledon first-round match against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic, said having positive people around her helps during tough times.
Raducanu Addresses Romance Rumours
Asked about the romantic snaps at a pre-Wimbledon press conference, Raducanu replied: “Very cordially put. I would say that, look, I have great people around me. I have amazing support from my team, from my family, from my friends. It means a lot. I think especially when you're going through setbacks, it helps.”
She added: “I think just being around positive people, around positive influences, it's always going to help through tough times.” The 23-year-old's team includes coach Andrew Richardson, hitting partner Alexis Canter and physiotherapist Emma Stewart.
Managing Injury Concerns
Raducanu is carrying a lower-leg niggle that has troubled her since the end of the clay court season. She explained: “I have a lower-leg niggle that I've been dealing with since before Queen's, actually from the back end of the clay court season. I've been managing it. After Queen's maybe, during that week, was a lot of load for me.”
The 30th seed spent more than two months sidelined by post-viral illness and lost her first two matches back on clay. She then finished runner-up at Queen's, playing her last three matches in the space of 28 hours due to rain delays. She wore strapping on her right ankle during training over the weekend.
Wimbledon Opener Against Antonia Ruzic
Raducanu faces world No.61 Antonia Ruzic in the first match on Court 1 on Monday. She lost to Ruzic in Dubai earlier this year while dealing with illness. Reflecting on that match, Raducanu said: “I remember from that match she played really well. I think if I give her time on the ball, she's very dangerous. She actually served great that day, too.”
She added: “For sure going to keep that in mind. I think I've come a long way in my game since Dubai. I think I played really well at Queen's. I have a lot of confidence in myself. She's going to be a dangerous player for sure. I know I need to be in a good position physically to be able to take her on.”
Keeping Things Light
Raducanu emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere within her team. “I think in general we have a great banter between us. I think it helps lighten the mood. I think laughing always helps. We all get on well, know each other well at this point. So that's good. I think also laughing at certain things, it just takes the gas out of the situation, really,” she said.
