Raducanu feels reborn as she begins 2024 season in Auckland. Britain’s Emma Raducanu celebrates winning her first round match against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck. Mckay
Emma Raducanu, a former US Open winner, says she feels “reborn” as she prepares to play her first match in 2024 at the Auckland Tennis Classic.
Raducanu, 21, has been out of action since April due to wrist and knee surgeries, but she says she feels reenergized as the new season begins, according to The Associated Press.
“I feel renewed in a way; I feel fresh,” the 2021 major champion told reporters. “I feel ready, joyful, and enthusiastic.”So, generally, I’m feeling good and lighter. For two years after the US Open, I felt like there was a weight on my shoulders, but today I feel absolutely refreshed.”
Raducanu injured his ankle in Auckland last year but played despite the agony at the Australian Open. By April, she had realized she needed to take time off for surgery.
“I had wrist issues for five months before coming to Auckland, so I was treating them as much as I could,” Raducanu explained.
“I knew it was inevitable if I wanted to cure the condition, but I wanted to go through the season.”I feel much healthier and stronger today. I feel more fit, happy, and renewed, therefore I’m looking forward to this year.”
Raducanu will face a qualifier in the first round of the Auckland event on Monday or Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, will face American compatriot Claire Liu in the first round as she begins her 2024 season and defends her Auckland singles championship.
Gauff has been the standard-bearer for US women’s tennis since her major success at home, but she accepts the mantle grudgingly.
“Publicity-wise and ranking-wise, theoretically I’m at the front, but all my counterparts are older than me, so I don’t really feel that way,” Gauff explained.
“I don’t feel like I’m leading them or the situation.” This may appear to the media. But for us, or at least for me, I feel like I’m only focusing on myself. I’m not attempting to lead anyone. If anything, I’m actually learning from them.”
Caroline Wozniacki will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the first round of the Auckland tournament, where she is competing for the eighth time. The 33-year-old made a strong comeback in 2023 after having a three-year break from tennis to establish a family.
“I was astonished by how high a level I was playing at from the start,” Wozniacki stated. “It’s difficult to come back and play after a month away, especially after three and a half years.
The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, presented by the General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, concluded on Saturday with thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome. (SPA)
The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, presented by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, concluded with thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday.
In a thrilling main event, Austrian Gunther defeated American Randy Orton to win the coveted King of the Ring championship, eliciting thunderous shouts from the full house.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Australian Nia Jax defeated Irish Lyra Valkyria to win the Queen of the Ring championship.
The tag team action was equally fierce, with Americans Bianca Belair and Gigi Dolin winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship titles after a tough battle against fellow Americans Tamina and Candice LeRae.
American Liv Morgan successfully defended her WWE Women’s World Championship against Irish Becky Lynch, while American Cody Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating fellow American Logan Paul.
The show concluded with Canadian Sami Zayn maintaining his Intercontinental Championship belt by defeating American Chad Gable and Australian Bronson Reed.
