Emma Raducanu’s decision to skip the qualifying events in Cincinnati and Canada has drawn public criticism from a former Olympic champion. The gold medallist from Rio 2016 Monica Puig wishes that the 21-year-old would no longer ignore qualifying competitions.

At times, she has faced criticism for focusing too much on her endorsement deals rather than competing in tournaments. Even though injuries have played a part in this, Raducanu seems to realize that criticism is a natural part of the game.

Soon after the 2024 US Open begins later in August, the 2021 US Open champion is anticipated to play in New York. Her total number of matches played since her Wimbledon round of 16 loss will be three if she doesn’t play another one before the next Grand Slam. Raducanu is aware that it is nearly impossible to return to a high level of performance in the sport after taking any kind of break.

The decision by Raducanu to withdraw perplexed Monica Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist in the women’s singles competition. In a recent interview, Puig stated that a player is not a failure if they have to go through the qualifying process for a tournament. A player frequently just needs to put in a little more work.

Puig talked about it and said: “We never really have to shy away from qualifying. It doesn’t mean you’re less than others by any means, but getting those extra matches is what Emma, I feel like, needs at this moment to get that momentum going into the US Open practice is practice, but playing in a match situation is something that can’t be replicated in practice, and it can only be done while competing, so I am not really sure what the play was here.”

Emma Raducanu in 2024

Now the world no.72, Raducanu played her last match on the 2^nd of August when she was defeated by world no.37 Paula Badosa 4-6 7-5 6-4 in the quarter in Washington (draw).

At the moment, during this season Raducanu achieved a 18-11 match record. Emma Raducanu’s best accomplishment of this season was reaching the semifinal in Nottingham.

Emma Raducanu will come up against the world no.50 Viktoriya Tomova in the final. Their record is 1-0 for Tomova.