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Tag: US Open

  • Danka Kovinic who? Unknown from Montenegro prepares to ship Serena into retirement

    Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic will discover herself in an unfamiliar place within the tennis highlight on the game’s largest stage on Monday enjoying the a part of potential celebration pooper at Serena Williams’s U.S. Open retirement bash.

    Since turning skilled in 2010, Kovinic has but to crack the highest 40 on the earth rankings and remains to be chasing a maiden WTA Tour title however for a couple of hours on Monday the 27-year-old could have the eye of the tennis world. A primary spherical win over Williams and Kovinic will in a single match obtain the celebrity that has ignored her throughout an unspectacular 12-year profession.

    Her title would perpetually be linked to the 23-times Grand Slam winner broadly thought-about the best lady to swing a racket.For a quick second the eightieth ranked Kovinic would go from obscurity to arguably the game’s most well-known participant.No matter what Kovinic could obtain later in life, she would discover enduring fame as the reply to a sport query on pub quiz nights or Trivia Pursuit: “Who was the last person to beat Serena Williams”.

    Williams, 40, signalled her intention to retire in a Vogue article in early August, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” however by no means confirming the U.S. Open as her ultimate occasion.

    The tennis world, nevertheless, is making ready an enormous retirement celebration at Flushing Meadows and the hope is the celebrations keep it up previous opening day on the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Kovinic, an nameless determine who has spent a lot of her profession grinding away on outdoors courts, enjoying qualifiers and minor tournaments, will stroll right into a seething cauldron.

    The match on Arthur Ashe Center Court, the world’s largest tennis stadium, shall be full of many of the practically 25,000 cheering for the tennis icon standing throughout from her. Williams will really feel totally different feelings however the environment and scene shall be acquainted as she performs in her twenty first U.S. Open, having hoisted the title six instances, although not since 2014.

    In distinction, Kovinic has gained simply two matches at Flushing Meadows, beating Serbian Aleksandra Krunic within the opening spherical in 2015 and Australian Lisette Faith Cabrera in 2020.

    STAGE FRIGHT

    If Kovinic is experiencing stage fright she will not be displaying it, as an alternative selecting to embrace the chance by posting on Instagram and Twitter, “WHAT A MOMENT. Looking forward to this”.

    Having been world primary for 319 weeks, Williams arrives in New York ranked beneath 600 and unseeded. She now performs sporadically, competing at simply three occasions this season. In truth, since being overwhelmed within the final 16 at Roland Garros in June 2021, she has gained just one match. While few anticipate Williams to finish her profession with a fairytale run to a record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam title, fewer nonetheless would wager on Kovinic, the aggressive baseliner from Cetinje, to point out her the exit. Reigning U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, one of many few gamers to have just lately taken them on – beating Williams final week in Cincinnati and falling to Kovinic within the second spherical of the Australian Open is making no predictions.

    “For me facing her (Williams) the other week, I couldn’t think about who was on the other side of the court because I knew as soon as I did, my mind would probably start going,” stated British teenager Raducanu. “It’s really, really challenging.”I’m going to understand how Danka feels in that form of state of affairs. I keep in mind she (Kovinic) was actually, actually strong, was staying with you, counter-punching. She’s comfortable to run, comfortable to rally. It’s going to be an excellent match-up, I feel.

  • US Open 2022 | Sport in some methods is greater than any participant: Rafael Nadal reacts to Novak Djokovic withdrawal

    This is the second time this 12 months that Novak Djokovic will miss a significant occasion, having beforehand been deported from Australia after a 10-day authorized battle to compete on the Australian Open 2022.

    Rafael Nadal is one forward of Novak Djokovic in variety of Grand Slams singles victory. (Credits: Reuters)

    HIGHLIGHTSNovak Djokovic will miss his second Grand Slam occasion this 12 months after Australian OpenRafael Nadal mentioned will probably be powerful for followers, match and gamers to not have Djokovic at US OpenRafael Nadal mentioned not having Novak Djokovic in US Open draw is a crucial miss

    The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion Rafael Nadal opined that “sport in some ways is bigger than any player”, whereas reacting to Serbian nice Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the US Open.

    Djokovic, the 21-time main singles winner, pulled out of the hard-court main hours earlier than the draw was introduced on August 25 as he opted to not get the Covid-19 vaccine.

    According to the present guidelines, travellers have to indicate proof of vaccination to board flights to enter the United States. This is the second time in a 12 months that Djokovic will miss a significant occasion, having beforehand been deported from Australia after a 10-day authorized battle to compete on the Australian Open 2022.

    The Serbian misplaced to Daniil Medvedev of Russia within the remaining of the 2021 US Open in straight units.

    “From my personal perspective, (it) is a very sad news,” Nadal was quoted as saying. “It’s always a shame when the best players of the world are not able to play a tournament because of injuries or because of different reasons. In this case, not having one of the best players of the history in the draw of Grand Slam is always an important miss, no?

    “As I mentioned, powerful for the followers, powerful for the match. In my opinion, powerful for the gamers, too, as a result of we wish to have the very best subject doable. But within the different hand, I repeat what I mentioned loads of instances: the game in some methods is greater than any participant.”

    Nadal, who was pressured to retire forward of the Wimbledon semi-final resulting from an stomach harm, returned to aggressive tennis on the Cincinnati Masters. The Spaniard, nevertheless, misplaced to eventual champion Borna Coric within the Round of 32. Nadal will play Rinky Hijikata of Australia within the first spherical of the US Open on Wednesday, August 31.

    — ENDS —

  • US Open defending champion Emma Raducanu left in tears at follow session

    Emma Raducanu mentioned she’s prepared for the subsequent week’s US Open and vowed to offer her greatest regardless of showing tearful at one stage throughout a close to two-hour follow on Friday night time.

    The defending champion performed down the uncomfortable follow session, saying she simply had “one of those weird days”.

    ‘I had a few small things, got a couple blisters, a bit of a niggle here and there,’ she mentioned in a press convention.

    Uh-oh… hoping it is not as regarding because it appeared for Emma Raducanu in her first follow session at Flushing Meadows – shot for @ShutterstockNow @shutterstock #raducanu #USOpen2022 pic.twitter.com/2mWAl3uQk6

    — Javier Garcia (@JavierGarciaBPI) August 26, 2022

    ‘It’s simply a type of bizarre days the place you’re feeling a bit like nothing, you simply really feel a bit out of it.
    ‘Can’t actually clarify myself, to be trustworthy. I imply, I’ve no issues of a difficulty, no.’

    Raducanu, 19, gave the impression to be battling a wrist harm and seemed to be upset at one level however mentioned there was nothing critically mistaken together with her earlier than her opening match towards Alize Cornet.

    “It was one of those blips where you don’t know what is going on,” she mentioned.

    The British primary Raducanu, who’s seeded eleventh, performs France’s world quantity 37 Cornet in Tuesday’s night time session on Louis Armstrong Stadium

    Despite trying careworn and a tad uncomfortable, Raducanu insisted there’s no strain on her forward of the event.

    ‘I think you guys are thinking probably more about pressure and ranking than me. As I said last year, I’m simply going to do issues my method,’ she mentioned.

    Practising with Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, Raducanu hit for 40 minutes earlier than taking a protracted break and pointing in direction of the decrease a part of her proper arm.

    However, she then resumed and finally accomplished her allotted time in what had been sizzling and steamy temperatures, whereas not trying completely pleased, particularly when it got here to serving.

    This all performed out underneath the watchful gaze of present coach Dimitry Tursunov and physio Will Herbert.

  • First cash I made for myself was due to her: Coco Gauff reveals she performed stunt double of Serena Williams

    The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who’s more likely to retire after the US Open, will play Danka Kovinic within the first spherical of the hardcourt main on Tuesday, August 30.

    Coco Gauff says she first met Serena Williams when she was 9 or 10. (AP Photo)

    HIGHLIGHTSCoco Gauff stated that she first met her hero Serena Williams when she was 9 or 10Coco Gauff stated that she will not be certain whether or not the business she shot was used or notSerena Williams will play Danka Kovinic in first spherical of the US Open on August 30

    French Open finalist Coco Gauff revealed that she earned her first paycheck by enjoying the function of a younger Serena Williams for an airline business.

    The 18-year-old Gauff went onto add that she snagged a photograph together with her idol on the set. “I first met Serena – she definitely doesn’t know this – I think I was nine or 10 years old. They needed a stunt double to play a young version of her just the face down,” Gauff was quoted as saying.

    “I think it was for a Delta commercial. I don’t think they ever used it but that was, like, my first check I ever got as a kid. She doesn’t know this but the first money I ever made for myself was because of her, doing a commercial.”

    Gauff additionally joined her rivals on the US Open in praising Serena Williams, who’s more likely to retire from tennis following the hard-court main. Recently, Williams wrote for Vogue’s September difficulty that the countdown has began and he or she is evolving away from the game.

    “Growing up I never thought that I was different because the No. 1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me,” Gauff stated. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I can take from what I’ve learned from Serena.”

    Serena Williams will play Danka Kovinic of Montenegro within the first spherical of the US Open on Tuesday, August 30. Last week, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters after shedding to reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu within the Round of 64.

    — ENDS —

  • ‘Weak leadership’ [in women’s tennis], profitable Wimbledon ‘not the greatest experience,’ says Elena Rybakina

    Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has hit out on the “weak leadership” on girls’s tour in tennis and stated that profitable the most important title of her profession was “not the greatest experience”.

    The purpose for her disillusionment is that she couldn’t garner any rating factors from Wimbledon because the match was stripped off factors as that they had banned Russian and Belarusian gamers. She feels as if she seems like “I am not the Wimbledon champion”.

    “I would say [winning Wimbledon] was a great achievement for me. But experience-wise I would say it was not the greatest,” she stated. “I’m super proud of my team, of course.”

    Rybakina has dropped to twenty fifth on the planet as a result of rating factors weren’t awarded and is seeded twenty fifth on the US Open.

    She went on to query the way in which the tour is organised. “I believe that is the issue of the construction of the tour. Honestly, a bit weak management as a result of now we have so many issues happening. It was my dream to win Wimbledon.

    Rybakina, 23, a Russian-born participant who moved to Kazakhstan was the shock winner at Wimbledon after she beat the Tunisian Ons Jabeur.

    “Of course, it’s not nice. But in the end I know the goal is to win. It gives more motivation, keep on winning … It’s a pity. I feel like I’m not the Wimbledon champion.”

  • While You Were Asleep: Smriti seals it with a six for Southern Brave, Anderson and Broad put England on high, Medvedev handed powerful attract US Open

    Smriti Mandhana scored a unbelievable 57 not out off 31 balls for the Southern Brave in The Hundred, closing the run-chase with a six in opposition to Trent Rockets.

    After being put into bat, Rockets may solely muster 88/8. Elyse Villani (25) and Marie Kelly (22) had been the notable contributors.

    Sealed with a 6⃣!@mandhana_smriti at her best 😍#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/zlmU5bx2gG

    — The Hundred (@thehundred) August 25, 2022

    Fr Brave, Lauren Bell (4/10) was the wrecker-in-chief. She was ably-supoorted by Amanda-Jade Wellington (3/18).

    In reply, The Brave cruised to a convincing 10-wicket win. Mandhana and Danni Wyatt (36 not out) remained unbeaten. Mandhana went to fifty to take the scores degree, earlier than hitting one other six to verify probably the most dominant of ten-wicket wins with 44 balls nonetheless to spare.

    England take cost on Day 1

    South Africa opted to bat first in Manchester after successful the toss and shortly discovered themselves in hassle, dropping Sarel Erwee to James Anderson, enjoying his one hundredth dwelling Test within the fifth over. Stuart Broad then went on to bowl a terrific spell, dismissing Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen in fast succession to depart South Africa at 41/3.

    South Africa’s determination to bat first within the second take a look at in opposition to England backfired Thursday when it was rolled over for 151 on a gap day when 13 wickets fell at Old Trafford.

    England was 111-3 in reply at stumps, 40 runs behind and with Jonny Bairstow — the star of the staff’s worldwide summer time — again within the circulate on an unbeaten 38.

    James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England’s high two all-time main wicket-takers, led a robust efficiency from the hosts’ tempo assault to assist the staff rip by way of the Proteas after captain Dean Elgar selected to bat beneath an overcast sky in Manchester.

    The 40-year-old Anderson, enjoying on his dwelling floor, had figures of 3-32 to take his national-record haul of wickets to 661. Broad took 3-37, with all his wickets from the highest six — Elgar (12), Keegan Petersen (21) and Kyle Verreynne (21).

    Medvedev handed powerful draw for US Open title defence

    Top seed Daniil Medvedev will open his US Open title defence on Monday in opposition to American Stefan Kozlov however faces main hurdles on the trail to a second Grand Slam title, together with in-form Australian Nick Kyrgios.

    Daniil Medvedev is the primary non-Big 4 member to be seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam in 19 years.

    While Medvedev is not going to be trying too far forward, followers definitely will on the prospect of an enthralling fourth-round showdown between the Russian and Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios who beat the world primary in three units in Montreal this month.

    Changing of the guard?

    Daniil Medvedev is the primary non-Big 4 member to be seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam in NINETEEN YEARS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/LlPCbrZp5T

    — US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2022

    The backside half of the draw additionally throws up a possible mouth-watering all-Spanish conflict between second seed Rafa Nadal, bidding for a fifth US Open crown, and teenager Carlos Alcaraz, who final 12 months turned the youngest man to achieve the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.

    Nadal, who may go away New York with the world primary rating if he can elevate a twenty third Grand Slam trophy, will meet Australian Rinky Hijikata within the first spherical whereas third seed Alcaraz takes on Argentine Sebastian Baez.

    Also standing in his manner are seventh seed Cameron Norrie, the top-ranked Briton who faces a gap conflict in opposition to France’s Benoit Paire, and ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

    Greek fourth seed and Monte Carlo winner Stefanos Tsitsipas has by no means obtained previous the third spherical at Flushing Meadows however could run into final 12 months’s Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini within the fourth spherical if he can discover his kind on the famed blue courts.

    French Open finalist Casper Ruud may land on the unsuitable facet of the house crowd in his quarter, with high American and Indian Wells winner Taylor Fritz a possible fourth-round opponent.

  • Serena Williams’ 1st opponent at US Open is Danka Kovinic

    Serena Williams’ first opponent at what is predicted to be the final match of her profession, the U.S. Open, will probably be Danka Kovinic. Win that, and Williams might face No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit of Estonia within the second spherical.

    The brackets for the ladies’s and males’s singles occasions had been launched Thursday by the U.S. Tennis Association. Play begins Monday; first-round matches will probably be held that day and Tuesday. There was no quick phrase on when Williams will compete. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who turns 41 on Sept. 26, introduced this month she was making ready to step away from her enjoying profession. She didn’t explicitly say when she deliberate to cease however made it sound as if the U.S. Open would mark her farewell.

    Williams has gained the hard-court match in Flushing Meadows six occasions. She is simply 1-3 this season, having just lately returned to singles motion after a 12 months away following a first-round damage exit at Wimbledon in 2021. Her first match again got here on the All England Club in late June, and she or he misplaced her opener there in a third-set tiebreaker to A hundred and fifteenth-ranked Harmony Tan.

    Kovinic is a 27-year-old from Montenegro who’s eightieth within the WTA rankings this week and has been as excessive as forty sixth. Williams and Kovinic have by no means performed one another in singles. After successful a match at a match in Toronto, Williams was eradicated in straight units there by Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic, then misplaced once more in straight units at Cincinnati in opposition to reigning U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu.

    Because Williams has mentioned she’s making ready to wind down her tennis profession, her each transfer would be the focus at first of the U.S. Open. While Williams has spent greater than 300 weeks at No. 1, her lack of exercise has contributed to a slide; she is 410th this week.

    That meant she wouldn’t be seeded in New York and will have been positioned wherever within the area — and in opposition to any participant. Other attainable opponents for Williams, ought to she progress by way of the match, embrace No. 27 seed Martina Trevisan of Italy within the third spherical and 2021 U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada or 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic within the fourth. She might face her sister Venus solely within the last, as a result of they’re on reverse sides of the bracket.

  • Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic out of US Open; can’t journey to States

    Novak Djokovic is not going to play within the U.S. Open, as anticipated, as a result of he’s not vaccinated towards COVID-19 and thus isn’t allowed to journey to the United States.

    Djokovic introduced his withdrawal from the 12 months’s final Grand Slam match on Twitter on Thursday, hours earlier than the draw for the occasion was revealed. “Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” Djokovic wrote, wishing luck to his fellow gamers, and stated he would “keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.” Play is scheduled to start at Flushing Meadows on Monday. Djokovic is a 35-year-old from Serbia who owns 21 main championships, one behind Rafael Nadal for the boys’s report. Three of Djokovic’s Slam trophies got here on the U.S. Open, in 2011, 2015 and 2018.

    Sadly, I won’t be able to journey to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam in your messages of affection and help. ❤️ Good luck to my fellow gamers! I’ll preserve in good condition and optimistic spirit and await a chance to compete once more. 💪🏼 See you quickly tennis world! 👋🏼

    — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 25, 2022

    He additionally was the runner-up there a half-dozen instances, together with final season, when his pursuit of the primary calendar-year Grand Slam in males’s tennis since 1969 ended with a loss within the remaining to Daniil Medvedev.

    Foreign residents who haven’t been vaccinated towards COVID-19 are at present unable to enter the usor Canada, and Djokovic has stated he gained’t get the pictures, even when that forestalls him from enjoying in sure tournaments. The U.S. Tennis Association has stated all alongside it’ll comply with authorities guidelines about vaccination standing for this 12 months’s Open. There is not any vaccine mandate on the match for gamers or their help groups — which means that an unvaccinated American could be allowed to compete — and spectators is not going to be required to put on masks.

    Djokovic missed the Australian Open in January after a protracted authorized saga ended together with his deportation from that nation as a result of he isn’t vaccinated towards COVID-19. He additionally sat out 4 vital tournaments in North America in 2022, together with in Montreal and Cincinnati not too long ago.

    He did play within the French Open, the place he misplaced within the quarterfinals to Nadal, and at Wimbledon, the place Djokovic gained the title. After beating Nick Kyrgios within the Wimbledon remaining on July 10, Djokovic stated he “would love” to take part within the final Grand Slam match of the 12 months at Flushing Meadows, however he additionally acknowledged, “I’m not planning to get vaccinated.” About three weeks later, Djokovic posted on social media that he was holding out hope of getting the possibility to play within the U.S. Open, writing:

    “I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed!” Djokovic has spent extra weeks at No. 1 than anybody else within the historical past of the ATP rankings. He is No. 6 this week, partially as a result of no rankings factors have been awarded at Wimbledon this 12 months.

    Among the opposite gamers who is not going to be on the U.S. Open for varied causes are No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev, the 2020 runner-up in New York; 2016 champion Angelique Kerber; 2019 French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova; Gael Monfils and Reilly Opelka.

  • World No. 2 Alexander Zverev says ‘restoration goes extraordinarily nicely’ after withdrawal from US Open

    Alexander Zverev twisted his ankle throughout the semi-final conflict towards eventual champion Rafael Nadal on the 2022 French Open. Zverev needed to bear surgical procedure to repair broken ligaments in his proper ankle, which compelled him to overlook Wimbledon and the US Open.

    Alexander Zverev twisted his ankle throughout French Open semis. (AP Photo)

    HIGHLIGHTSAlexander Zverev stated that he’s tremendous completely satisfied together with his highway to restoration after surgical procedureAlexander Zverev hinted that he might return to motion within the group stage of Davis CupAlexander Zverev stated that he’ll miss taking part on the US Open however he’ll watch it

    World quantity two Alexander Zverev stated that his “recovery is going extremely well” following ankle surgical procedure which compelled him to tug out of the 2022 US Open.

    The 25-year-old German needed to bear surgical procedure to repair broken ligaments in his proper ankle after he suffered a freak damage throughout the semi-final match towards Rafael Nadal on the French Open earlier this 12 months.

    During the last-four match, Nadal took an early lead after an exciting, intently fought first set 7-6(8). In the second set, Zverev and Nadal had been tied at 6-6 when the German slipped and twisted his ankle. Eventually, Nadal entered the ultimate, the place he defeated Casper Ruud to raise his file 14th French Open trophy.

    On August 22, the organisers of the US Open confirmed that Zverev withdrew from the hardcourt Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. The German completed runner-up behind Dominic Thiem throughout the 2020 occasion.

    “The recovery is going extremely well,” Zverev stated in a video put up on his Instagram account. “And I am super happy where I am right now. But unfortunately, I will not come to New York this year.

    “It was a really powerful choice, however the best way the restoration goes … and the way nicely all the things goes … I simply do not wish to take the danger and play a best-of-five set match as my first match again.”

    However, Zverev hinted that he may return to competitive action in mid September for Germany’s campaign in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals in Hamburg.

    “Of course, I’ll miss it (the U.S. Open) and, after all, I will probably be watching it from distant,” Zverev added. “Unfortunately I didn’t have one other week or two the place I might have been 100% prepared however it’s how it’s.

    “I am looking forward to seeing everybody at the Davis Cup. And I am looking forward to being back as soon as possible.”

    — ENDS —

  • Cincinnati Open: Emma Raducanu cautious of opponents forward of US Open title defence – I’m re-watching my matches

    Cincinnati Masters 2022: Emma Raducanu misplaced her Round of 16 match to Jessica Pegula and bowed out of the match. The 19-year-old will now participate within the US Open.

    I’m re-watching my matches: Raducanu cautious of opponents forward of US Open. Courtesy: AP

    HIGHLIGHTSEmma Raducanu is the defending champion at US OpenEmma Raducanu misplaced her Round of 16 match at Cincinnati MastersEmma Raducanu is presently ranked thirteenth on the earth

    19-year-old Emma Raducanu reckoned that her sport has improved over the past 12 months or so. On Friday, August 19, {the teenager} bowed out of the Cincinnati Masters after dropping to USA’s Jessica Pegula in straight units.

    The teen eased previous the legendary Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka with out having to interrupt a lot sweat. However, Pegula obtained the higher of her within the Round of 16 match at Cincinnati.

    Raducanu is subsequent scheduled to participate within the US Open the place she will likely be coming into because the defending champion. Last 12 months, she defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez within the ultimate and have become the primary qualifier to win a Grand Slam.

    Moreover, she didn’t drop a single set en path to her glory. In the previous few months, Raducanu has discovered the going robust attributable to harm issues, however she sounded fairly assured forward of the upcoming version at Flushing Meadows.

    “I think that at the US Open I played really good tennis. I was swinging with the freedom that I started to tap into this week. And I did really enjoy this week, like if I made an error, it was almost like a positive thing, like, ‘Good, you are going for it.’ It paid off a lot more than it didn’t,” Raducanu was quoted as saying.

    Raducanu also said that she is watching her matches from the previous edition of the hard-court tournament to improve on many fronts.

    “But I additionally suppose, truthfully, that my opponents have been taking part in quite a bit higher this 12 months. I’m re-watching my matches from the US Open and there are particular moments the place I used to be given a variety of items or perhaps they obtained a bit tight or one thing like that,” she acknowledged.

    “So I think I have actually improved as a player. As I’m finding this sort of freedom in my swinging, I think that I achieved something great, of course, but I was playing completely free and I’m starting to do that again,” Raducanu added.

    — ENDS —