Emma Raducanu and Venus Williams are both star headliners for the Hobart International tournament ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. Recently, both superstars expressed different views regarding the strong winds in Tasmania that could affect the matches.
Ahead of her match against Camila Osorio, Raducanu talks about how she is preparing to battle high winds and soaring temperatures in Hobart during her interview with Tennis Australia.
“The wind is quite strong here, so getting used to that is a big thing,” Raducanu said. “It’s a lot of adapting and improvising. You probably have to accept that you’re not going to feel like you’re hitting the ball amazingly all the time. It’s all part of the skill set you need to play in all types of conditions. It’ll be a good test and challenge.”
Meanwhile, Venus Williams, who received a wild card to compete in this tournament and is scheduled to face sixth-seeded Tatjana Maria, expressed her admiration for the fresh air and natural setting of Tasmania, rather than complaining about the challenging weather in Hobart. She reveals how the wind is different in morning and in afternoon.
“The wind does blow in Hobart, which is one of the things you’re going to have to deal with if you play here,” Williams said in her Instagram video. “I always hit in the morning exclusively. Usually, I’m here before they even open the gates. I’m usually hitting from 8 a.m., but today I tried something different because usually in the morning it’s not so windy, and the wind usually picks up in the afternoon.”
Moreover, the 45-year old embraced the challenge of playing in tough conditions as her opponents, who may be less experienced, might find it difficult to put the ball in play.
“I really wanted to kind of play in this kind of famous wind that all the players talk about, especially because there’s a mental strain that goes on when that wind is blowing and the ball is moving away from where you think it’s going to be,” she added. “I got prepared for that. I don’t care if it feels right, I’m going to go out there and get what I need to get done, no matter how it feels. And that felt great. That felt like I was in the right mindset.”
Emma Raducanu Reveals About Her Pre-Season Preparations
Emma Raducanu had a roller-coaster ride in 2025, filled with heartbreaks, some incredible wins and injury struggles. The 2021 US Open champion, during her interview with Tennis Australia, revealed that she started late with her pre-season preparations but hopes to do better in the coming week at Hobart.
“So far, I’ve been practicing pretty well. I started my preseason pretty late, so for me it’s all about sharpening up and tuning up as much as I can. I hope this week can be a good one for that,” Raducanu said.
Raducanu is the top seed for the tournament in Tasmania. If she wins her first match against Osorio, she will be facing either Magdalena Frech or Elsa Jacquemot in the Round of 16.
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