Jodie Burrage shut down concerns regarding Emma Raducanu's fitness and form, revealing she spoke with the 2021 US Open champion and claiming that she is feeling really well ahead of Great Britain's opening tie in Malaga.
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Since suffering an injury to her ankle ligaments in mid-October, the 22-year-old hasn't played any tournaments. But on Friday, she is set to get her first action in two months when the British side takes on Germany in the round-of-16 clash.
Naturally, some have concerns that Raducanu will feel rusty and be far from her best after such a lengthy absence. But 295th-ranked Burrage - who didn't get an invite for the BJK Cup Finals - says the former world No. 10 and Katie Boulter are ready to lead Great Britain.
Ive spoken to both of them (Emma and Katie) this week, I think theyre both feeling really good. Boults had a really good run in Asia, shes obviously feeling so confident right now which is great, its good to see. And Emma I think shes been training the last few weeks and I think and heard thats gone pretty well," Burrage told Express-Sport.
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Burrage reveals what she heard about Raducanu
For the BJK Cup Finals, British Davis Cup team captain also nominated Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls. And according to the former world No. 85 who was overlooked in the selection, she has been told that the 2021 US Open champion has been showing "really good" level so far in practice.
I spoke to a few of the other girls yesterday and they said she was playing really good so I think that team is really, really strong. Not just Katie and Emma and everyone else as well, and I think theyve got a great opportunity this week to go far in the Finals, not just win a match or two but go far," Burrage added.
In April, Raducanu won both of her singles matches in an away win against France. Now, Great Britain needs the former world No. 10 to deliver again and potentially lead her nation to the title.
