Laura Robson looks ahead to Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper’s Australian Open hopes | Tennis News

Sky Sports activities’ tennis analyst Laura Robson appears forward to the prospect of Emma Raducanu taking over Katie Boulter on the Australian Open and displays on spending Christmas time in sunny Melbourne.

Raducanu will make her Grand Slam return towards American Shelby Rogers however the 2021 US Open champion would take into account it a triumph to get to the second week after eight months on the sidelines.

Robson, who introduced her retirement from the game in 2022 attributable to numerous damage issues, has loads of sympathy for what the 21-year-old has been by since her fairy-tale triumph in New York and seems excited by the prospect of what’s to return from the Brit.

I feel you possibly can inform from the smile on her face and he or she’s completely gunning to be on the market.

Raducanu returns to Grand Slam motion after an eight-month break following surgical procedure on each wrists and one ankle towards Rogers, who was one of many gamers she beat on her method to victory in New York.

Robson, 29. mentioned: “It is a good take a look at to play somebody who’s a fairly large hitter from the again of the courtroom as a result of Emma likes that energy approaching to her and I used to be impressed with how she performed in Auckland towards Elina Svitolina.

“From what I’ve seen and heard of her practising in Melbourne, she’s putting the ball so cleanly, actually attempting to play it as aggressive as attainable. Hopefully, that is consequence however on the identical time the outcomes virtually do not matter for her for the time being. It is about getting again on courtroom as a lot as attainable in match conditions and attempting to remain as wholesome as attainable.”

Robson, a Wimbledon junior champion on the age of 14, claims Raducanu, who has reunited with childhood coach Nick Cavaday, is completely happy together with her recreation as soon as once more.

“I am very completely happy to see her again. I understand how exhausting she’s been working during the last six, seven months and I simply suppose she’s acquired a few of that pleasure again of enjoying tennis the way in which she used to again within the day, if you first picked up a racket and also you simply need to crack the ball and that is what she does finest,” mentioned Robson.

“I feel you possibly can inform from the smile on her face and he or she’s completely gunning to be on the market. She’s acquired the help of Ian Bates, who has executed the vast majority of the work over the previous couple of months together with her, after which Nick has come out right here for additional help and a bit extra steering.

“I do know she is large on doing numerous the analysis herself earlier than she faces somebody, nevertheless it’s at all times helpful to have somebody with you.”

There’s the tantalising prospect of a possible Battle of the Brits between Raducanu and Katie Boulter within the third spherical, however may it truly occur?

“I might adore it if it did,” Robson mentioned. “Each of them could be very completely happy to play one another if it got here all the way down to that and if Emma’s again within the third spherical in solely her second Grand Slam again from damage then that might be unreal. You could not ask for a greater begin to the season after being up to now out of the sport.”

Then in fact there’s 22-year-old Jack Draper, who’s going from power to power having been held again up to now by accidents.

He missed numerous final season however completed strongly and has all of the instruments to succeed in the very high of the sport.

“He got here to Australia every week later to the remainder and watching him play over the previous couple of days in Adelaide you possibly can see the work that he is executed within the off season, he appears actually sturdy and bodily as match as I’ve ever seen him as a result of the lads’s recreation is getting an increasing number of bodily, everybody is a superb athlete and everyone seems to be quick and robust,” mirrored Robson.

“He is up there with a number of the finest gamers on the earth and anybody who has seen Jack play in actual life is aware of he has the sport as a result of he is acquired such a giant serve. He is a tall man with an enormous serve. I am buzzing for Jack and hopefully he will not be too drained for the most important in Melbourne.

“It is also nice to see a real lefty on the market, we now have to stay collectively.”

Robson, who was born in Australia and nonetheless has household dwelling Down Below, arrived within the nation even earlier than Santa on December 14 the place she spent Christmas earlier than starting work as a TV analyst and commentator on the United Cup workforce competitors.

Auntie Laura has been retaining herself busy too! Prime of the checklist was shopping for presents for her niece and nephew. She additionally took a visit to see the wondrous Twelve Apostles, attending the standard Boxing Day Take a look at cricket match on the MCG and likewise recommending eating places to her fellow Brits.

“I noticed my niece and nephew quite a bit and it is pretty as a result of they’re at an age the place they know what Christmas is however they are not fairly certain what time of yr it’s, so after I arrive it is simply as thrilling as Santa as a result of we come so shut collectively,” the 29-year-old former British No 1 advised Sky Sports activities.

“So auntie Laura comes, she brings presents and Santa additionally comes and brings presents, so it is a win, win for them.

“My nephew loves Dinosaurs – the larger the higher – and my niece loves books.

“I additionally went all the way down to the Twelve Apostles for the primary time, which contemplating I used to be born right here and my dad and mom have lived right here for a very long time, it was good to tick that off the bucket checklist.

“We additionally did the annual Boxing Day Take a look at on the MSG, which is the Robson custom after which I flew to Sydney the following day for the United Cup so it really works out as a protracted stint nevertheless it’s been actually good.”

What in regards to the meals choices? “They do actually good Vietnamese meals right here in Melbourne and actually good fusion,” added Robson. “Chin Chin restaurant is superb however all of the gamers are inclined to go to Nobu, however I feel there are higher choices.”

Meals for thought forward of the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, January 14.

Laura Robson was speaking to Sky Sports activities’ Raz Mirza from Melbourne. Watch the WTA and ATP Excursions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities. Stream tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership