Emma Raducanu says she’s excited to finally have a "clean slate” after this year’s US Open, as her title defence in New York inches ever closer. 

The British number one stormed to victory at Flushing Meadows in 2021, but has endured a difficult first full year on the WTA Tour. 

Raducanu has failed to reach beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament and has suffered early exits in the second round of every major this season. 

Right now, the Brit is preparing to play in her birthplace of Toronto at the National Bank Open. 

The 19-year-old, who made the last eight at the Citi Open last week, spoke to the media ahead of the tournament and reflected on her last 12 months. 

Raducanu excited for fresh start

"To have success at a young age, obviously you have to be really grateful because I'm doing what I love, but also I've reached success way earlier than I ever really would have thought I did," she said. 

"So I'm pretty proud of myself in that way. But it has been a tough year. I've definitely gone through and experienced a lot of challenges. 

“To be fair, I've learned a lot from all of it. I think it's going to be nice once the US Open is finished and [I can] carry on from there. Start again. 

"I think it will be nice to take all of the lessons from the last year and just [have] a clean slate." 

British tennis player Emma Raducanu
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 02: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain returns a shot against Louisa Chirico of the United States during Day 4 of the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 02, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Who will Raducanu face in Toronto? 

The Brit is seeded ninth for this week and will face 2021 Montreal champion Camila Giorgi in the first round. 

The 30-year-old has won three WTA titles so far in her career and reached a career-high ranking of 26th back in 2018. 

Her best performance at a major came in 2018, when she made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. 

Camila Giorgi

Who else is playing at the National Bank Open?

Raducanu is not the only big name competing in Toronto this year. 

Former world number one Serena Williams is also set to take part, having made her long-awaited return to tennis at the All England Club this summer. 

Tennis legend Serena Williams
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Serena Williams of United States plays a forehand against Harmony Tan of France during their Women's Singles First Round Match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The 23-time Grand Slam champion will start her singles campaign against an undetermined qualifier. 

Williams has won the event three times in the past and has a record of 34-5 in Toronto. 

With the US Open right around the corner, this tournament will provide a good indicator of where the US star is at physically ahead of the final major of the year.