Emma Raducanu has revealed that she told herself that losing was not an option during her clash with Elise Mertens at the DC Open.
The Brit returned to action in style with a victory in three sets over the world No. 35 to progress into the second round of the competition. The 21-year-old claimed the opening set in style before being pegged back by the valiant Mertens.
The former British No. 1 then held her nerve to win the final set and secure a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory. Following her success, Raducanu revealed after the match that she was determined not to be dumped out of the competition in the first round despite facing jet lag.
She explained: “I think getting through first rounds are always difficult. I think first rounds are all about getting through them and trying to find a way to work your way into the tournament and I’m very proud of that.
“I think I’m just most proud of my mentality and character today. I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout, especially in the first set and moments in the third set. I lost some focus in the second.
“It’s not easy playing at 11.30. I got here Thursday night so I’m still jet-lagged.”
Raducanu revealed that she had a tough mid-game message for herself after Mertens threatened to turn the match on its head following the second set. She added: “I was telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This is not happening. You’re not losing this match’.”
The 2021 US Open winner will now face an American opponent in the next round, with world No. 51 Peyton Searls set to face local wild card Clervie Ngounoue.
Raducanu believes that remaining focused will be key for her to return to her very best, as well as managing her injury recovery. She rejected the chance to represent Team GB at the Olympics as she did not want to switch back to competing on clay whilst she is still overcoming surgery on both of her wrists and her ankle.
Winning the DC Open would be a fitting consolation prize for Raducanu after making the touch decision not to return to Rolland Garros. She concluded: “I’ve been training and playing so good in practice. I’ve been really on it. So on the court, I was telling myself, ‘Look, you’ve been so focused for so long. There’s no way you’re not going to try right now. You’re going to fight until the very end. You didn’t put all that work in for nothing.’ I’m happy with how I pulled myself out of it, but I do need to focus.”