"It’s obviously a concern on our mind": Emma Raducanu attacked by insects, avoids antiseptic spray to prevent doping test risk

Emma Raducanu, bitten by ants or mosquitoes, opted not to use antiseptic spray to avoid any potential doping risks. Preparing for the Australian Open, the Brit revealed in a press conference that she was "badly bitten" and suffered from swollen hand and ankle.

The world No. 60 recently faced physical setbacks, including a back injury that forced her to withdraw from the ASB Classic. Entering the Australian Open without any preparation tournaments, Raducanu faces a challenging first-round match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, seeded 26th.

Insect bites don’t stop Emma Raducanu

Speaking about the pressures of drug testing, Raducanu touched on the importance of being cautious to avoid incidents like those faced by players such as Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Nicolas Jarry, or Simona Halep.

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“I would say all of us are probably quite sensitive to what we take onboard, and what we use,” the 2021 US Open champion shared. “Yesterday, for example, I got really badly bitten by ants or mosquitoes, something. I’m allergic, I guess.”

“They flared up and swelled up really a lot. Someone was, like, giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn’t want to take it. I didn’t want to spray it,” she explained. “I was just left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I thought, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.”

“It’s obviously a concern on our mind. We’re all in the same 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.”

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Despite these challenges, Raducanu said she feels physically ready for her return to the court and well-adjusted to Australian conditions. After withdrawing from Auckland, the Brit has been training in Melbourne for over a week.

“I’ve been feeling good. I think the last 10 days I’ve had a positive block of training,” she said. “Coming back on the court, adapting to the conditions here, has been good for me. Now I feel good and ready to give it my best. It’s a tricky draw, of course.”

“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.”

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