Emma Raducanu shares what she has now realised about herself that has caused her to make a big change

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Emma Raducanu has made a strong start to life at the Madrid Open, with the Briton now into the second round.

Raducanu will continue working with Mark Petchey, although there is no formal partnership between the player and the coach.

Former British number one Raducanu is currently ranked 49th in the world, with another WTA 1000 event her current focus.

She defeated Suzan Lamens in round one of the Madrid Open, battling to a 7-6(7-4), 6-4 victory in the Spanish capital.

Raducanu now takes on Marta Kostyuk in the second round, with the latter the 24th seed at the tournament.

It comes after the Briton enjoyed a strong run to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open this time last month.

Emma Raducanu realises she doesn’t need to be switched on all the time

She lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula, and has now clinched a first victory on clay in 2025 after her recent hard-court spell.

Speaking after the victory, she told Sky Sports: “I think I have realised that I don’t need to be switched on for 200 percent of the day, which I am usually like and my tendency to be.

READ MORE: Emma Raducanu reacts after Team GB qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup finals

“I don’t need to necessarily suffer or be so down or just be so focused. I think I can enjoy and have fun. I was playing football.

“I have improved a bit since Miami and it’s nice to be able to relax and then when I go on to the court I feel switched on. But there is a time and a place for everything.”

What Emma Raducanu thinks of Marta Kostyuk ahead of Madrid Open clash

As she alluded to, Raducanu was relaxing with a football as opposed to a tennis ball before heading onto the court.

In similar fashion, Raducanu played spikeball at the Miami Open, with the 22-year-old clearly keen to explore other avenues outside of tennis in a bid to relax.

READ MORE: Emma Raducanu gives her reason why she made controversial decision recently which Andy Roddick criticised her for

But WTA number 36 Kostyuk is certain to come out all guns blazing for their upcoming match, with Raducanu expecting a very tough encounter against a player she knows well.

“It’s different now,” she said. “I grew up playing with her. We played all the summer and winter cups together.

“We were the same age groups. So it will be interesting. So much has happened in both our careers. She is a player who has been in amazing form and grew up on this surface, so is very comfortable on the clay courts.

“It will be an immense challenge for me but I am happy I am in the next round and gave myself the opportunity to play her.”