Emma Raducanu has acknowledged that circumstances are "very difficult right now" following her United Cup defeat to Maria Sakkari, though the British number one drew encouragement from her display amid ongoing fitness concerns.
The world No 29 fell to the Greek player 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in what marked Sakkari's maiden victory against Raducanu in five meetings.
Raducanu's participation had been uncertain after she withdrew from a scheduled encounter with Naomi Osaka on Sunday owing to bruising on her right foot.
"To produce that level just by the circumstances, I have to be proud of even if it's very difficult right now," Raducanu said after the match.
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The 2025 season ended prematurely for Raducanu due to a combination of illness and injury, with her last competitive outing coming in Ningbo approximately three months ago.
Her preparation for the new campaign has been far from ideal, with the 23-year-old only resuming hitting practice a fortnight before the Sakkari clash.
"I started hitting two weeks ago, so it's been a good two and a bit months where I didn't play. I did fitness," she explained.
Emma Raducanu has acknowledged that circumstances are "very difficult right now" following her United Cup defeat to Maria Sakkari, though the British number one drew encouragement from her display amid ongoing fitness concerns
|GETTY
The British player had managed just five or six practice games before stepping onto court, making her three-set battle all the more notable given the limited preparation time.
Raducanu reflected on the mental challenge of returning to competitive action after such an extended absence, noting that she initially felt out of place during the opening set.
"Initially you feel a little bit alien on the court, in the first set, just playing points again," she admitted.
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Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PADespite the defeat, the former US Open champion expressed satisfaction with her ability to push the match to a deciding set under such challenging circumstances.
"Really proud of how I kind of put myself out there, despite the scenario and situation," she said, adding that Sakkari had arrived with momentum following her victory over Osaka.
The performance has bolstered Raducanu's belief in what she can achieve with additional practice time.
Great Britain's tournament came to an end following a 2-1 defeat to Greece in the overall tie, eliminating them from the United Cup.
Raducanu acknowledged the need to focus on recovery and continued work ahead of her upcoming commitments.
Emma Raducanu embraces Maria Sakkari at the net following her defeat at the United Cup
|GETTY
"I just need to try and recover as best as I can, just keep working," she stated.
The British No 1 will return to action at the Hobart International, which commences on 12 January, providing valuable match practice before the season's first Grand Slam.
The Australian Open begins on January 18 at Melbourne Park.
Raducanu will hope her fitness concerns are behind her and her court time has increased sufficiently as she bids to achieve more Grand Slam glory.