Emma Raducanu has finally broken her drought, securing her first win in over three months at the Hobart International. The British tennis star rallied from a second-set deficit in her rain-delayed first-round match to defeat Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-3, 7-6 (2). This hard-fought victory marks a significant milestone for Raducanu, who has been struggling with a foot injury since the final weeks of the 2025 season.
Raducanu's win is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite being sidelined for much of the off-season, she has shown that she still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. The match against Osorio was a tough battle, with Raducanu trailing 1-4 and a double break at one point. However, she managed to retrieve one of the breaks just before play was suspended due to heavy rain, and then dominated the restart to win seven of the last nine games.
Raducanu's Strategy was to impose her superior firepower on her opponent, and it paid off. She stepped inside the baseline and dictated the pace of the game, dominating with her forehand and striking her backhand down the line well. This approach allowed her to separate herself from Osorio and ultimately secure the win. As Raducanu noted, these types of wins mean so much more, as they can greatly affect one's mood and overall performance.
It's such a fine line between winning and losing a match like that. It can easily affect your whole mood, your whole days, your whole weeks. I try not to let that happen but it's very difficult. This is a very good day for sure to stack up.
Raducanu's victory is not just a win; it's a new beginning. After a difficult off-season, she has finally found her footing and is ready to take on the challenges of the new season. Her next match will be against Magdalena Frech, the WTA No 57, and it will be an opportunity for her to build on her momentum. As Raducanu looks to the future, she is focused on growing comfortable with the changes she has made to her technique. She has altered her forehand technique, lengthening her swing to generate more pace, spin, and weight of shot.
This adjustment is a deliberate attempt to counter the bigger hitters on the tour, who have overpowered her in recent years. By winning and playing more matches, Raducanu will have the opportunity to fine-tune her technique and become a more formidable opponent. As she noted, very, very difficult match, but she is pleased with how she turned it around and stuck in during the tie-break.
As the tennis world looks on, Raducanu's victory in Hobart is a reminder that she is still a force to be reckoned with. Her resilience, determination, and strategic play have paid off, and she is ready to take on the challenges of the new season. With her foot injury behind her, Raducanu is poised to make a strong comeback and compete at the highest level. The question on everyone's mind is: what's next for Emma Raducanu?
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
