Emma Raducanu Begins Madrid Open Against Suzan Lamens

Madrid, Spain – Emma Raducanu kicks off her Madrid Open campaign on April 23 against Dutch player Suzan Lamens, currently ranked No. 69 in the world. The British tennis star is preparing for a challenging match after a solid performance at the Miami Open last month, where she reached the quarter-finals.

Raducanu, 22, has been training on clay in Madrid and is aiming to improve her record on the surface. Lamens, 25, recently reached the semi-finals of the Open de Rouen before losing to Olga Danilovic, making her a formidable opponent.

Last month, Raducanu’s journey in Miami included a notable win over top-10 player Emma Navarro, marking her best performance since winning the US Open in 2021. Despite her exit in the quarter-finals, her run has given her confidence heading into this tournament.

Looking ahead, if Raducanu progresses, she could face Marta Kostyuk in the second round and Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, in the quarter-finals. The competition in Madrid is high as many top players vie for the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 titles.

Raducanu is also in search of a new coach after working with Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue during her recent Miami stint. She noted, “We haven’t made anything formal. It’s pretty informal for now,” indicating her desire to take careful steps in her coaching situation.

Tim Henman, a former British tennis player, expressed optimism regarding Raducanu’s performance this year, emphasizing the importance of building her physical resilience. Henman stated, “That is what has been lacking because she’s almost had her career back to front, qualifying, winning that Grand Slam without really the physical foundation.”

As Raducanu prepares for the challenges ahead, fans are hopeful for a strong showing at the Madrid Open, a critical event in the lead-up to the French Open. “Clay is great for developing all areas of the game,” said former player Laura Robson, supporting the young athlete’s ambitions this season.

The first round match against Lamens promises to be an exciting start to the Madrid Open for Raducanu and her supporters.