Raducanu takes heart from cup

EMMA Raducanu will start preparations for 2025 while Katie Boulter takes a well-earned rest after Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup loss to Slovakia brought their seasons to a close.

- ELEANOR CROOKS

They will also need to get over the disappointment of seeing Britain’s hopes of a first final appearance since 1981 snatched away from a winning position.

Raducanu could not have done any more, winning all three of her matches in Malaga in straight sets, but Boulter was unable to follow despite taking a one-set lead over Rebecca Sramkova in the semi-finals, and Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls lost the deciding doubles convincingly.

Raducanu was returning from another injury lay-off having sprained ligaments in her foot two months ago and is itching to get to work to ensure she is in the best possible shape for the new season.

This has by no means been a disappointing year for the 22-year-old, who has shown encouraging consistency when she has been on court, but questions remain about her scheduling and physical resilience.