Emma Raducanu's River Walk and Nap Fuel Melbourne Win

Sometimes the best preparation isn't hours on the practice court but a peaceful walk and some sleep.

Emma Raducanu shook off early nerves to cruise past Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1 at the Australian Open on Friday night. The British number one overcame a sluggish start against the world number 196, eventually winning seven straight games to seal victory just before 11pm local time.

Her secret weapon? A morning stroll along Melbourne's river and an afternoon nap.

"I had a potter around Melbourne this morning by the river, had a nap, came out and the atmosphere was electric," Raducanu told the crowd at Margaret Court Arena. She thanked fans for staying out late to support her in the second night session.

The 23-year-old's preparation strategy went deeper than rest and relaxation. Expecting a late start time, she booked a late-night training session on Saturday to adapt to Melbourne's cooler evening conditions.

"I booked a court from 21:15 to 23:15 and it was the latest I've ever practised," Raducanu explained. The nighttime conditions play differently than daytime tennis, with slower ball movement and lower bounces in the colder air.

That strategic thinking paid off when Sawangkaew, making her Grand Slam debut, overwhelmed Raducanu early with aggressive returns and clever net play. The Thai player broke serve in the third game and had a chance to go up 4-1.

But Raducanu fought back with brilliant winners to avoid falling further behind. Her momentum built from there as she leveled at 4-4, broke again to take the first set, then dominated the second.

Why This Inspires

Raducanu's story reminds us that elite performance isn't always about grinding harder. After climbing back into the world's top 30 in 2025 despite foot injuries that hampered her training, she's learning to prepare smarter, not just longer.

Her willingness to trust an unconventional routine shows maturity beyond her years. While other players might have panicked about the late start time, Raducanu embraced it with creative preparation that honored her body's need for rest.

The former US Open champion, seeded at a major for the first time since 2022, now faces Austria's Anastasia Potapova in the second round. She sealed her first-round victory in style with an ace, finishing with 17 winners.

"I feel very happy to have got through the match," Raducanu said. "I'm really proud how I fought back in the first set."

Sometimes winning starts with knowing when to walk away from the court.