Emma Raducanu has recaptured her love of tennis after an injury-ravaged run since her US Open title and is being motivated by her addiction to winning.
Raducanu said she finally got the love back at Nottingham two weeks ago where she reached the semi-finals before losing in three tight sets to countrywoman Katie Boulter.
And she was relishing deep runs both at Eastbourne, where she gets under way against Sloane Stephens on Tuesday, and Wimbledon next week.
“I’m just really into it at the moment,” she said. “I love the sport, I love tennis. It’s kind of just taken over me. I’ve really rekindled a light and a fire inside of me, just very happy and enjoying it a lot.
“I would say right before Nottingham it happened. I’m just really grateful to have this feeling against because it’s something that I feel like I’ve been missing in a way for the last few years.
“I haven’t felt this good about my tennis and just excited about it and passionate for a long, long time. Good things are 100% going to happen.
“I have full faith and belief in that now and I can actually say it and mean it at the same time rather than just saying it. Now I just love what I’m doing. I think that’s the best place to be.”
Raducanu missed much of last season with injury, eventually undergoing operations on both of her wrists and an ankle.
But a strong showing in Nottingham has given her both the belief she can beat the world’s best again and she is motivated to get on a winning streak on the grass.
She said: “I think winning is the most addictive thing. It's so dangerous and it's something that you can't really control either. So yeah, I think for me, I'm just excited to play match again.”
Raducanu’s triple surgery meant she missed the grass-court season in its entirety last year and she was driven in her rehabilitation to not miss out on a second summer not playing in front of her home fans.
“I think you always feel like you’re missing out,” she said. “It’s this FOMO that really drives you. I think I have a big joy for playing in the UK. I missed that last year.”
