Emma Raducanu has revealed she refused to make use of an antiseptic spray to deal with insect bites for concern of failing a drug take a look at earlier than the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old British tennis star stated her hand and ankle swelled up however she refused the therapy in case contamination led to a constructive doping take a look at.
“Yesterday, for example, I got really badly bitten by I don’t know what, like ants, mosquitoes, something. I’m allergic, I guess.
“They flared up and swelled up actually rather a lot.”
She added: “Someone was, like, giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites.
“I did not wish to take it. I did not wish to spray it. I used to be identical to left there with my swollen ankle and hand.
“I was, like, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.
“It is clearly a priority on our thoughts. We’re all in the identical boat.
“I think it’s just how we manage as best as we can the controllables. If something out of our control happens, then it’s going to be a bit of a struggle to try and prove.”
Picture:
Raducanu throughout a apply session in Melbourne forward of the Australian Open. Pic: AP
‘I am a harmful opponent for anybody’
Raducanu pulled out of her scheduled warm-up match in Auckland final week with what she described as a again niggle, however has been coaching at Melbourne Park this week.
She stated the supply of the issue was a spasm suffered whereas coaching in London.
“One morning I was warming up, bent over to tie my laces, and I had a spasm. That was really it,” she stated.
“It took a while to clear. I’ve had them before. They’ve usually settled within a few days. But this one niggled for a couple of weeks. I had to miss quite a bit of training before I left, wasn’t able to play Auckland.”
Requested how she was feeling forward of the beginning of the match in Melbourne, she stated: “I’ve been feeling good. I think the last 10 days I’ve had a positive block of training.
“Coming again on the courtroom, adapting to the situations right here, has been good for me. Now I really feel good and I really feel prepared to offer it my finest right here.”
She added: “I have been enjoying units with high gamers. I am feeling like I am holding my very own greater than okay in these situations and practices.
“I feel pretty good with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court. I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anyone really.”
Raducanu faces a difficult begin to the marketing campaign – a first-round match on Monday in opposition to twenty sixth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“It’s a tricky draw, of course,” she stated.
“Being unseeded, you can play any top opponent. She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I’m coming in with the underdog mentality. She’s been in this situation many more times than I have.”
The Grand Slam at Melbourne Park begins on Sunday 12 January.
