Emma Raducanu has admitted she still isn’t “comfortable” on the clay after crashing out in the second round of the Madrid Open. The British No. 2 thrashed Marta Kostyuk at the same tournament three years ago. But the No. 24 seed got her revenge on Friday, winning 6-4 2-6 6-2.
Raducanu was playing her first tournament on clay this year, and her first-round victory was her first match win on the surface in more than 12 months. The 22-year-old has limited experience on the dirt and, after getting broken six times in Friday’s match, she admitted she was still learning.
The former US Open champion’s third meeting with Kostyuk was a rollercoaster match with plenty of breaks. Raducanu did well to force a decider after dropping the first set, winning four games in a row at the end of set two.
But Kostyuk has more experience on the clay – she reached the Stuttgart final last year and has previously made it to the second week of the French Open – and it showed in the final set as she sealed victory after two hours and 17 minutes.
It was still an admirable effort from Raducanu, though the world No. 49 feels she must still find her feet on the dirt.
“I think it’s positive to get through and play two matches on the outdoor clay courts,” she told the Guardian afterwards.
“I would say that it is pretty noticeable to me that I don’t necessarily feel very comfortable, but I think that’s something that I can improve on and work on.
“And it is my second proper clay season and the first one in three years. So I think I’m just trying to give myself a chance to play as many points as I can on it, and also time on the court training as well.”
It’s no surprise Raducanu still lacks confidence on clay. This was her 18th professional match on the surface, and last year, she did not play another match after suffering a first-round exit in Madrid, skipping the WTA 1000 in Rome and the French Open to focus on grass.
Now, she seems keen to learn. After struggling to move around the court against Kostyuk, the 22-year-old is ready to put more work in ahead of the Italian Open.
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Raducanu’s coaching situation also remains unclear after her run in Madrid. The Brit had Mark Petchey in her box at last month’s Miami Open, though he was simply helping while juggling his Tennis Channel commentary duties.
Petchey returned to her team for the Madrid Open, but Raducanu confirmed their partnership was still “informal”.
While they have yet to reach an agreement, the 22-year-old says he will “hopefully” join her in Rome next month.
Raducanu has played the Italian Open just once in 2022. She retired from her opening match against fellow former US Open winner Bianca Andreescu.