Emma Raducanu insists she's in a 'really fit place' with Wimbledon less than a month away... after overcoming an injury nightmare that saw her forced to undergo wrist surgery last year

Emma Raducanu has declared that she feels ‘in a really fit place’, with her troublesome wrists stronger than ever three weeks out from Wimbledon.

Raducanu, who begins her grass court season at the Nottingham Open today, said she now had ‘zero doubt or apprehension’ when hitting the ball, despite having operations on both wrists a year ago following continual pain when executing shots.

The British No 6, who has plummeted to No 209 in the world, said: ‘Body and physical-wise, I feel really healthy and strong. 

'I’ve done amazing work with my trainer over the last few months.’

She defended her decision to skip the French Open, as she needed more preparation for the grass season. But she admitted rain had limited her practice time.

Raducanu, 21, who faces Japan’s Ena Shibahara, the world No 274, in Nottingham today, also criticised the use of heavier balls which fluff up and create longer rallies.

She said: ‘They don’t regulate the ball with the conditions, and they get very heavy. For me, that’s definitely a factor where I have to miss certain events. They just don’t favour my situation.’