Johanna Konta thinks Emma Raducanu will be able to overcome multiple surgeries and return stronger to tennis. Raducanu, 20, revealed last week her decision to undergo surgery on both hands, as well as her left ankle. After struggling with a wrist injury for quite some time and also injuring her ankle at the start of the 2023 season, Raducanu figured out that surgically repairing the damage was the best thing to do.
In her announcement, Raducanu confirmed she would miss the French Open and Wimbledon. For over a year, Raducanu was constantly struggling with injuries and physical setbacks.
Konta tips Raducanu to ‘return stronger’
“Overall, I can imagine that this surgery wasn’t a surprise for Emma.
She’s probably had enough time to work up her feelings and go through everything in her head so now it’s going to be the big recovery process. I don’t think it would have been a shock to her which is why she seems in decent spirits.
I don’t think her age is a worry. Because she is 20, she’s got a long time because she’s at the early stages of her career. She’s going to have enough time to keep building up her body, keep building up her strength. Obviously, you don’t want to be young and having surgery.
However, there have been a lot of athletes throughout history that have had surgery young and they still come back stronger, come back better and do brilliant things in the sport. It is a hurdle, but one that she is well equipped to overcome and she has time on her side,” Konta told Sky Sports.
Now that Raducanu decided to undergo multiple surgeries, she will certainly take her time and return only when she feels fully ready to do so. Some fear Raducanu may sit out the remainder of the 2023 season but Konta said she expects the 20-year-old to target a US Open comeback.
