Emma Raducanu has revealed that matches against the world’s top players such as Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have caused her to “realise” that a change in serve was necessary.
The Brit donned a new serve on arrival at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham this week, having reached a first WTA Tour quarter-final on grass. She bagged 11 aces in the 6-2, 6-2 win over Daria Snigur, her serve proving a fierce weapon during Wimbledon preparations.
Raducanu lost to Sabalenka and Swiatek respectively in March and May and having skipped the French Open, gave herself seven weeks away from the cameras to focus on improving her service game with coach Nick Cavaday.
Subtle differences between her swing before contact have Raducanu admitting that the change was to be “more efficient”, after coming to the realisation that she needed to improve to challenge the sport’s elite.
“Especially what I’ve realised, playing the top opponents like Iga or Aryna, you need a first serve because they’re very comfortable holding serve,” Raducanu explained. “If you don’t have one yourself then it’s very difficult.”
The 2021 US Open champion has been pleased with her progress, building up to the SW19 summer Grand Slam, proving formidable on grass by taking down Ukrainian star Snigur.
“It was a really tricky one in the conditions and I’m just very happy with how I dealt with all the circumstances,” Raducanu added. “Daria’s a really difficult opponent so it is actually a really good achievement for me to have come through that one.
“I’m pleased for sure serving it out the first time. I served really well throughout the whole match and it did make the match a bit easier. If I had just a second serve, it would have just been a nightmare to play her.
“I’ve been working on every part of my game but obviously the serve is very important. It’s just repetition and I’m pleased to see the rewards in competition.”
Raducanu struggled to serve out in her first-round victory at Nottingham, but avoided any repeat to seal victory on her third match point after an hour and 20 minutes had been played.
Her next test could come against compatriot Francesca Jones in the quarter-finals, with the Brit leading Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 4-6, 6-5 before play was suspended due to rain.
“She’s (Jones) someone that I’ve become quite close to in the last few weeks,” Raducanu said. “She’s playing great tennis – I went out and watched her in the first round against Caroline (Dolehide) and she’s playing really well.
“She has quite a few matches under her belt and she’s a really dangerous happens. Whatever happens if we play there will be a Brit in the semi-finals which is great for us.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk