Emma Raducanu has revealed she plans to leave the UK to spend time in New Zealand around Christmas, having done so in each of the last two years.
The Briton has been sidelined with a foot injury since September but is poised to play at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this month.
Raducanu is then hoping to play in the ASB Classic, with the Briton receiving a wildcard for the competition.
The 2021 US Open champion has spent Christmas in New Zealand in 2022 and 2023. Now, she’s revealed she plans to do the same this year.
Emma Raducanu has revealed she plans to leave the UK to spend time in New Zealand around Christmas, having done so in each of the last two years
GETTY
“The people are very friendly and very hospitable,” she said.
“I always have a great time there. The weather, when it is nice, is really beautiful.
“One of my best friends lives in Auckland and her family do too, so I think I will be there for Christmas Day.
“Over the last two years, we have gone an hour north to their beach house and had a barbecue there.
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“It is really wholesome. The quality of the meat and fish is so fresh and I am looking forward to it.”
As Raducanu turns 2022, many fans are hoping to see the youngster get back to her brilliant best.
There have been some promising signs in 2024, with the tennis star rising to world No 58 – having been ranked No 301 at the start of the year.
However, injuries continue to hamper her development and it’s unclear how she’ll fare when she returns.
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Raducanu was criticised back in August over her schedule.
Many tennis fans and pundits were left furious with her decision to play just one hard-court match prior to the US Open.
Raducanu then suffered a defeat to Sofia Kenin as her dreams of Grand Slam glory went up in smoke.
But the tennis star, speaking recently to Women’s Health, insists that she’s learned from experience and ‘matured a lot’ over the past few weeks.
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Emma Raducanu is currently preparing for a return to action having been sidelined with a foot problem since October
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“There has been a lot of volatility over the past three years,” she said.
“And I think the most I’ve come into myself has been in the last few weeks.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is non-attachment; acknowledging that everything comes and goes.
“Every moment is fleeting, and how you interact with the present dictates how you feel, the quality of your work, the quality of your relationships, and how much the people around you enjoy being with you.
Emma Raducanu has struggled with injuries ever since her remarkable US Open triumph in 2021
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“I’ve taught myself not to label things as black or white.
“For example, with this injury, I’m trying to catch myself and stop labelling it as like, ‘Oh, I’m so unlucky, this is so bad.’
“I’ve learnt to accept things and reframe them. I’m not completely unable to exercise, so I’ll still do things like yoga or Pilates – low-impact exercise, so I’m focusing on that.
“I’ve matured a lot in the last few weeks, to be honest.”