After a three week break, Emma Raducanu is back on the courts.
The 18-year-old Briton will participate in the Indian Wells Master 1000 which begins this Wednesday.
World 150th five weeks ago, Emma Raducanu is living a daydream after her thunderous coronation at the US Open in mid-September.
Barely of age, the Briton has already marked the history of her sport by becoming the first player to win a grand slam tournament after going through qualifying.
Still, it would be a shame to see the fairy tale end there after such promises.
Despite her young age, Emma Raducanu now has a status to defend and assume.
Does she have the means?
Women's tennis is looking for a gondola head
The exploits in women's tennis are much less episodic than on the men's circuit where a hierarchy emerges much more clearly.
Among women, the WTA rankings are much more fluctuating and women's tennis has struggled to find a real headliner since the end of Serena Williams' unchallenged reign.
Since 2017, no less than 14 different players have managed to win a grand slam tournament against only 5 for men.
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A situation which is explained in particular by the inability of the players to confirm their temporary exploits.
The young Raducanu therefore has a real chance to play in this very moving women's circuit without any real scarecrow.
But this chronic inability of the players to confirm can legitimately raise fears of yet another flash in the pan for the Briton.
Nevertheless, the qualities seen at the US Open have reason to think the opposite.
Defense and flamboyant game
At Flushing Meadows, Emma Raducanu didn't just take the title.
She managed to lift the trophy without losing a single set during the fortnight.
A breathtaking performance for this player unknown to the general public before the launch of the New York tournament.
To explain such a feat, we must observe the game offered by the British.
Raducanu builds his victories above all through aggressive play.
The 18-year-old does not hesitate to hit hard and play as long as possible in order to challenge her opponent's defense, in particular thanks to her powerful two-handed backhand.
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An incisive tennis which does not neglect the defense.
Faced with Leylah Fernandez in the final or against the 9th player in the world, Maria Sakkari, in the semi-final, her ability to hold the exchange also impressed observers.
A player already supported around the world
A player with a complete profile and who benefits from a unique advantage. Born in Toronto to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother, Emma Raducanu finally adopted the nationality of the country in which she grew up: the United Kingdom. Through this multicultural side, the trilingual player is already ensuring extremely broad support beyond the borders of the Kingdom. In Romania, his name was already mentioned in the press before his magnificent New York feat. An asset on paper but one that can also be difficult to assume. At Wimbledon, in front of an audience largely won over to her cause, the young Raducanu was forced to retire in the Round of 16, dizzy, probably due to a panic attack.
"The stake caught up with me"
, then confided the young woman.
Overcoming the stake, however, is the challenge that awaits Emma Raducanu in Indian Wells where her performances will necessarily be closely scrutinized.
