Emma Raducanu avoids drugs test concern just days before Australian Open after flare up

by Admin
January 10, 2025

Emma Raducanu has revealed she refused to use antiseptic spray on insect bites at the Australian Open, fearing it could lead to a failed drug test.

The British No 2’s cautious approach comes after recent positive tests by other players, including Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner last year.

“I would say all of us are probably quite sensitive to what we take on board, what we use,” said the former US Open champion.

Swiatek served a one-month ban after taking melatonin, which was found to have been contaminated.

Emma Raducanu was concerned about the prospect of contamination

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Raducanu opted to endure the discomfort rather than risk a similar fate ahead of the tournament.

Raducanu described how she was bitten by what appeared to be jumping ants or mosquitoes, triggering an allergic reaction.

“They flared up and swelled up really a lot,” she explained.

Despite being offered a natural antiseptic spray to ease the bites, the tennis star declined.

“I was just like 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!'” she said.

Raducanu later sought medical attention, saying: “I spent the second part of my day coming in to sign, seeing the doctor to try to get some remedies, because I had a bit of an allergic reaction.”

Emma Raducanu returns to action in AustraliaGETTY

The British star revealed she had pulled out of a warm-up event in Auckland after suffering a back spasm during training.

“One morning was warming up, bent over to tie my laces, and I had a spasm,” she explained.

The injury forced her to miss crucial training time before departing for Australia.

However, Raducanu has now declared herself fit for the tournament.

“Now I’m feeling good and I feel like I can give it my best here,” she said.

The world No 60 hasn’t played a competitive match since the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November, or on the WTA Tour since September due to a foot injury.

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Emma Raducanu insists she’s fully fit for the Australian Open

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]Despite her recent setbacks, Raducanu remains confident ahead of her first-round clash with Russian world No 27 Ekaterina Alexandrova on Tuesday.

The former world No 10 has been training with top-ranked players and feels positive about her game.

“I know that whenever I play any top opponent, I feel like with the way that I’m feeling on the practice court right now, I was practicing with top-10 players, feeling pretty good out there, I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anyone really,” she said.

“You have to kind of have that belief as a player. It’s not really worth it going on court if you don’t believe you can win.”