Tennis

According to Raducanu, the year 2022 will be a “learning experience.”

Last year, the 19-year-old created history when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title in New York, but she had only won two matches since then.

Emma Raducanu, the teen US Open champion, says 2022 will be a learning process as she adjusts to life on the big stage, calling her first-round triumph at the Australian Open “a tremendous step forward.”

Last year, the 19-year-old created history when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title in New York, but she had only won two matches since then.

In her maiden main draw appearance at Melbourne Park on Tuesday, the Briton was back to her imperious best, defeating 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens 6-0, 2-6, 6-1, and said she was soaking up the experience.

“I think 2022 is going to be all about learning for me,” she stated as she begins her first full season on the WTA Tour — she was studying for school examinations a year ago.

“Being in those situations where I win a set and then have to struggle in a decider is definitely all building up into a bank of experience that I can dip into later on.”

Raducanu had previously competed in the juniors in Melbourne, but had been eliminated in the first round.

She’s also having trouble adjusting to night matches on show courts that can last into the wee hours of the morning.

Her Margaret Court Arena match with Stephens lasted just before midnight, which she conceded went “far past my bedtime.”

“I believe it’s something I’m learning about myself and what works for me, coping with late finishes and night matches and maybe not being able to get to sleep as early because of the excitement,” she explained.

“I think it’ll be a nice learning experience, and I can’t really say because I’ve only played one night match before.”

“I believe coming out here and winning my first match in Australia is a huge step forward for me,” she added.

On Thursday, she will face Danka Kovinic of Montenegro.

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