Emma Raducanu Questions Australian Open Scheduling, Eyes 2025 Breakthrough
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has expressed her concerns regarding the scheduling of her first-round match at the Australian Open. The British number one, who reached the third round last year – her best performance at the season-opening Grand Slam – questioned the logic of being scheduled for a Sunday night match in Melbourne, especially after a quick turnaround from the Hobart International tournament and a delayed flight.
“It’s very difficult,” Raducanu stated, currently ranked 29th in the world. “You would love to have more time in the environment, more time practising, but I guess I was pretty much handed the schedule to try and turn it around. I have to make the most out of what is in front of me. It’s easy to complain about it, but it’s not going to help.”
Late-Night Concerns and Potential Disruptions
Adding to the challenge, Raducanu and her opponent, Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, are slated to play second on Margaret Court Arena in the evening session. This follows a men’s singles match that could potentially extend into a five-set battle, potentially delaying Raducanu’s start time until close to midnight. This echoes concerns raised after Andy Murray’s lengthy match in 2023, which concluded at 4:05 AM local time.
Raducanu highlighted the potential issue of scheduling women’s matches after potentially lengthy men’s matches, stating, “To me, it doesn’t really make as much sense.” Sports scientists have also cautioned against “romanticising” excessively late match finishes.
Preparing for the Challenge
Despite the challenging circumstances, Raducanu is focused on adapting. “After seeing it, the initial reaction is ‘oh, it’s a late one’,” she admitted. “Then you deal with it, try and shift your day and adjust.” She adjusted her practice schedule, holding her sole Australian Open practice session at 9 PM on Saturday to simulate late-night conditions.
Raducanu acknowledges this is a new experience, having only played one late-night match previously at the US Open. “Hopefully if I’m playing this game for a long time, I’ll probably be in this situation again, so it’s a good learning step to try and adjust and deal with that day.”
2025 Outlook: Progress and Setbacks
2025 saw Raducanu climb back into the world’s top 30 and play more matches than in any previous season. However, off-season technical work with coach Francisco Roig, known for his work with Rafael Nadal, was hampered by a foot injury. This lack of practice has been noticeable in her recent performances, including a defeat in Hobart.
Raducanu remains optimistic, stating, “I haven’t really taken the results in the past few weeks too seriously. I know I am working my way into it, and even this week, I know I still am on the way to where I want to be. I’m very happy with the last few weeks – how I was able to be very matter of fact about it, not too emotional.”
As Raducanu navigates the challenges of the Australian Open schedule, she remains determined to build on her progress and achieve her goals in 2025. You can follow live scores and results here.
Further Reading: Learn more about the challenges athletes face with jetlag here.
