Emma Raducanu has called for patience ahead of her first match since the Indian Wells Masters.
The teen will take to the court at the Transylvanian Open this afternoon, and will face Polona Hercog of Slovakia.
Prior to her opening match, the World No.23 said: “Patience is key. Because there are a lot of lows, where you learn about your game.
“You adjust to each level gradually. I kind of went from zero to the top of the game!
“So, it’s obviously going to take some time to adjust and adapt but hopefully with some good work, I will be able to do that."
She added: “I don’t think there is any pressure on me. I feel like everyone should just be a little patient with me.
“I’m going to find my tennis, I just need a little bit of time. But I’m really enjoying it.”
The British number one admitted she needs to be patient with herself, as she is still adjusting to life on the WTA Tour and being a superstar of the game.
“Although things have happened rather fast, I’m learning a lot," Raducanu said. “The biggest thing is to be patient with myself because basically from my rankings, I skipped a bunch of girls I learned with.
“Normally you work your way in, play your way into the game. I basically went from the ITF 25s to playing Masters and WTA 250 and 500.
“I just need to be patient with myself, not expect too much, and I’m learning to accept it is not so smooth. Just bounce back positively.”
Raducanu is playing in Romania, the birthplace of her father, but no fans will be in attendance for the event this week.
That is due to the local government opting to stage the tournament behind closed doors following a rise in Covid-19 cases.
The Bromley local has been practising with Romanian player Elena-Gabriela Ruse and commented on her hectic schedule since her triumph in New York.
“Life has been different but it has been an experience in itself," Raducanu added. “You know, I had an extreme high in New York. Not much time off before practising again.
“Then I was straight back out to Indian Wells. I learned a lot from the match there.
“I came back, I recharged a little bit. I had a really good training week.”
The teen is relishing the chance to add to her success in the final part of the season and build ahead of 2022.
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“I’m just looking forward to this last swing of the season and this week as well," she said. “I think I have a lot of confidence in myself. I know it will be a different journey.
The youngster continued: “New York was a great experience but I’m trying to look ahead. You just need to move on.
“It was great while it was lasted but now I am looking ahead and I want to get better.
“The exciting thing is I still feel I have a lot of room to improve. At the end of the day you are out there on your own. That’s very important."
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