Raducanu upbeat despite United Cup loss to Sakkari on return from injury

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Tennis - China Open - The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2025 Britains Emma Raducanu in action during her round of 32 match against Jessica Pegula of the U.S. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Jan 7 - Emma Raducanu said it was an alien feeling to be back on court after more than two months away and that her three-set battle with Maria Sakkari at the United Cup on Tuesday had given her confidence she can safely increase her workload in practice.

The 2021 U.S. Open champion had withdrawn from her scheduled match with Naomi Osaka at the mixed-team event on Sunday due to the foot injury sustained late last year but was able to face Greeces Sakkari in Perth.

The 23-year-old lost 6-3 3-6 6-1 as Britain exited the competition, but Raducanu saw positives in her return to the game.

“I am pretty happy with how I was able to play a match of three sets,” she told reporters. “Considering I played five or six games in practice, it’s a big effort for me.”

Raducanu has struggled since her breakthrough triumph as a teenager in New York, with injuries and inconsistent form limiting her progress. She reached the Miami Open quarter-finals last year before ending her season early.

“It’s been a good two and a bit months where I didn’t play,” she said.

Its been difficult to kind of increase the load and add the unpredictability of the