Emma Raducanu's career has been characterized by too many ups and downs.
The former world No.10 has struggled to handle the pressure of her sensational US Open triumph in 2021, when she became the first player in tennis history to win a Major title as a qualifier.
At that time, the young English star was idolized by everyone and the WTA tour was already convinced that it had found its new symbolic face. Almost five years after that shocking success in New York, it is safe to say that Emma did not live up to the enormous expectations that had been created on her.
Raducanu has had ups and downs
Raducanu has had problems of different kinds in recent seasons and has never been able to express her talent with the necessary continuity, not approaching the level of the top players and changing too many coaches in this period of time. In addition, the British star has had a high number of injuries while also demonstrating a certain fragility.
It is no coincidence that Emma has reached only one final on the WTA tour after winning the US Open, more precisely in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) earlier this year losing very clearly to Sorana Cirstea. Public opinions on Raducanu are mixed, with some saying she needs some time to reach her peak, while others are convinced she was overrated because of that exploit at Flushing Meadows.
During the latest episode of his podcast, former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski tried to defend Raducanu: “She’s done the hardest thing first, winning the US Open. And all the pressure and expectation went on her. Let’s try to win a WTA Tour title at the lowest level and build up from there.
It’s a game of building and getting the joy back for a game. So I’m still super positive about Emma. I still think she has a very bright future ahead of her. If she can be 100 % healthy and get the right sort of love back to the game, there’s no reason why there can’t be great results there. So I’m on the positive side for Emma.”
