EMMA RADUCANU believes that a “more relaxed” approach has helped inspire her best run of the season.
The former U.S. Open champion, 22, booked her place in the Miami Open quarter-finals by brushing aside Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-3 last night.
Raducanu went into Miami having lost six of her last seven matches.
While on the eve of the tournament, the Brit decided to part ways with coach Vlado Platenik following just one match together.
Following her awful stalker ordeal earlier this year, Raducanu has found joy again on and off the court in Miami.
After beating eighth-seed Emma Navarro in the third round, the British No.2 said: “I think this week I have been trying to keep it more relaxed, I would say, not necessarily being in the zone 100 per cent of the time.”
On how dabbling with other sports has helped, Raducanu added: “Just, like, I’m learning how to throw an American football, so that has become my warm-up.
“So the first 30 minutes of my warmup is like sports day. It’s like American football, football, and then cornhole, and then, depending, either maybe some golf or something, like kick frisbee.
“That’s been keeping me entertained, but it’s also a great pulse raiser, because I find it easier to put more effort in when we’re playing American football and running to catch it rather than running in a straight line. It’s a lot more fun.”
Raducanu then added: “I think it’s a different approach this week.
“I think five minutes before the match I was playing spike ball with the team. It helps me to relax. When I’m playing my best tennis I’m really expressing my personality.
“I’d say I’m a bit of a free spirit so I don’t need restrictions or being told what to do. I think when I’m being really authentic, that’s when I’m playing my best.”
Since splitting with Platenik, Raducanu has worked with childhood coach Jane O’Donoghue and former member of Andy Murray’s team Mark Petchey.
Following her win over Anisimova, Raducanu said: “I’ve come a long way in the last week.
“Since Indian Wells, I wasn’t necessarily feeling great about my tennis, about everything, but this week I have some really good people around me who I trust, who I have fun with off the court as well. That’s extremely important I think.
“For me, who’s very expressive, when I play my best I’m definitely authentic, true to myself and creative.
“I feel when I’m boxed in into a regimented way, I’m not able to express myself in the same way. So I’m happy with how I realised that this week as well.”
Raducanu is already set to return to the world’s top 50 following her exploits in Miami this week.
And should she beat Jessica Pegula in the last eight, the former Major champion could rise into the top 40.
Read the full article here