"It would mean a lot" - Emma Raducanu pumped up to represent her country in Billie Jean King Cup after returning from injury setback
Emma Raducanu recently said that performing well at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals would mean a lot to her. The 2021 US Open champion is a part of Great Britain's squad alongside Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls.
Raducanu enters the tournament in Malaga after a quarterfinal exit at the Korea Open in Seoul. The 22-year-old reached the last eight of the WTA 500 tournament after wins over Peyton Stearns and eighth seed Yue Yuan. Here, she faced Daria Kasatkina and lost the opening set 1-6 before retiring after suffering a foot injury.
Raducanu made her return from injury to compete in her final tournament of the 2024 season, the Billie Jean King Cup. Speaking to reporters in Malaga, the Brit said that doing well in the competition would mean a lot to her.
"Yeah, it would mean a lot. I mean, it's the end of the season and I know the other girls have had a very long season, just finishing pretty much. Boults (Katie Boulter) had a great run in Asia towards the end and I'm sure she is feeling very confident but even though mine finished a bit earlier in Seoul, I, yeah, I would love to do well in this tournament," Emma Raducanu said.
"Playing for my country, I think I did really well in France and it bought very good things out of me. So, I hope to try and do the same here," she added.
Emma Raducanu won two matches to help Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals
Raducanu played a key role in helping Great Britain qualify for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The Brits faced France in Le Portel and found themselves trailing 0-1 after Diane Parry thrashed Katie Boulter 6-2, 6-0.
Emma Raducanu faced Caroline Garcia and came back from a set down to beat her 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. She then faced Diane Parry in the fourth match of the tie after Boulter put Great Britain 2-1 up with her win over Clara Burel. The 2021 US Open champion once again came back from a set down, this time winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(1).
Great Britain will face Germany in the first round of the Billie Jean King Cup knockouts on November 15. The winner of the match will lock horns with Canada in the quarterfinals.