Emma Raducanu’s admission about future after verdict on retirement | Tennis | Sport

Emma Raducanu has outlined her intention to play into her 30s but doubts she will follow in Serena Williams’ footsteps. Williams and her 19-year-old Canadian doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, secured a 7-6 (2) 6-2 first-round win over third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s to mark her first competitive tennis in 1,376 days.

Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Raducanu, 23, defeated Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova in straight sets, dropping just three games in the process. Speaking ahead of the tournament, the British star was asked if she could see herself playing on for another 20 years. She said: “I personally don’t. But a lot of the players who play until they are older, if you asked them when they were 20, they wouldn’t have seen themselves playing into their 40s.”

On her admiration for Williams, she added: “I think it’s an amazing thing. With sports science and how everyone takes care of their bodies, it’s much more achievable. I have a lot of respect for anyone who comes back and keeps playing for the duration.”

Raducanu’s run of injuries and indifferent form has led many to question her long-term future in tennis. However, the 2021 US Open champion has previously stated she would like to play into her 30s.

Speaking in 2022, she said: “I feel like if I set out with a goal when I’m starting to play tennis, I achieve that, like, once I’m happy, it kind of makes sense to finish on a high, if you know what I mean. I feel like it is personal.

“For me, I want to be in the game as long as possible. I’m only 19. I’ve just come on tour, which is pretty young. Now I think the tour is getting younger. There are a lot of great players who are also young. I want to be in the game till I’m in my 30s. We’ll see what happens and how long I can last, to be honest.”

As for the present, Raducanu was delighted to begin her Queen’s campaign with such a comprehensive victory. The British number one only allowed Blinkova six points across the entire first set and, despite a stronger second-set challenge from the world number 105, wrapped up the match in one hour.

She said: “I think it was a really good stepping stone. And I think the way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package, not necessarily the tennis, just how I kind of was acting on the court, I really enjoyed it.

“I think that’s something that I want to take forward in all of my matches and really embrace this grass court season.”