Emma Raducanu won an impossible US Open title last September after coming straight from the qualifications. After winning the last slam of the year, Emma did not shine in the following tournaments.
During a recent interview with Express Sport, former British number 1 Greg Rusedski didn’t sound too concerned about Emma’s recent poor performance.
Raducanu like Sampras?
Greg made an interesting comparison with American legend Pete Sampras who also won the US Open when he was still a teenager. Pete had to find some time to adjust to his new world before winning 13 more majors.
Rusedski believes that Raducanu’s career has the potential of following the same trajectory.
“As I said when she won the US Open, give her nine to 18 months to adjust,” he said.
“I remember a young player by the name of Pete Sampras at 19 who won the US Open out of nowhere and nobody really knew who this kid was. It took him a good nine months to adjust to being in that situation. And I think with Emma, let’s not forget she hadn’t even won a match on the WTA Tour until a few weeks after the US Open, her second event, so everything’s new.
So I think adjusting to all the demands, all the hype, and making sure she has her team solid. It seems like that’s in place now, so this off-season is going to be important, and I think she’ll adjust.”
Emma Raducanu in 2021
Currently ranked no.19 (career-high), Emma played her last match on the 9th of November when she lost to world no.99 Xin Yu Wang 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 in the 2nd round in Linz (draw).
This season Raducanu has managed to achieve a composed 25-9 win-loss record. Emma has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. Raducanu was the runner-up in the Chicago.
Emma Raducanu |
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