"I needed time to get used to a new surface": Emma Raducanu responds to Roddick criticism surrounding post Miami break

Emma Raducanu will begin her Madrid Open campaign this afternoon but amid criticism including from Andy Roddick about her decision to halt her schedule again after reaching the Miami Open Quarter-Finals, she explained why.

Raducanu received criticism in particular last season of perhaps going a bit too safe in terms of playing a tournament that taking a huge chunk of time off something she doesn't want to do this season.

But speaking ahead of Madrid, it was more to do with surface. Raducanu only really played Stuttgart and Billie Jean King Cup last season before deciding to curtail her clay court season in order to bid for grass.

“I took a small break after Miami,” Raducanu said to Sky Sports. “It was a really positive week for me and after that because of the first bit of the season where I was so back to back, and it wasn’t the best start to the season, I would say it was just nice to rest the body.

“At the same time I needed time to get used to a new surface, because it is very different, and it’s not a surface I have spent a lot of time on.

“I barely played a clay season last year, I played indoor clay, and then stopped after Madrid. So that was needed for me and I feel a little bit more comfortable on the clay. Still there wasn’t so much time but much better.”

This view came after Andy Roddick recently became frustrated at Raducanu's schedule and halting her momentum to take a break.

“She just found her form; why is she recalibrating? What does that mean? I get so frustrated. I think she’s so good for the game, I’m such a fan of hers," he said on Served.

“I personally like listening to her reasoning on things, and it’s just like you get to the quarters, and you’re finally kind of getting momentum, and you stop.