Emma Raducanu injury progression made as Brit takes first huge step since ending season | Tennis | Sport

Emma Raducanu has showcased her first big step of progress in her recovery from the wrist injury that cut her 2022 season short. The 20-year-old has returned to hitting with her right hand for the first time since being forced to pull out of the Billie Jean King Cup, just days after she first returned to a tennis court.

Raducanu’s first full season on the pro tennis tour ended early when she was forced to withdraw from the Transylvania Open and BJK Cup Finals with a right wrist injury. The British No 1 has been plagued by injuries this year, retiring from a match on four separate occasions, but has been working on her strength and fitness over the off-season to try and prevent more physical issues in the future.

While training in the gym, the 2021 US Open champion had been unable to practise her tennis but returned to a court for the first time last Thursday with a noticeable difference as she hit balls using her left, non-playing hand while her wrist continued to recover. And she has now taken her first major step since getting injured as she hit balls with her right hand for the first time on Monday.

Sharing some footage of one of her practice sessions on Monday evening, the world No 75 wrote: “Sometimes practice right handed too. Missed this big time.” Raducanu could be seen serving, rallying from the baseline, practising shots close to the net and working on her groundstrokes in the new video from her pre-season.

JUST IN: Norrie looks to end five-year Brit drought with milestone ‘not enough’