Emma Raducanu is currently preparing for the Australian Open at the Hobart International, where she is into the quarterfinals.
Raducanu withdrew from her first match of the season at the United Cup, where she was representing Great Britain.
The British number one then lost to Greece’s Maria Sakkari as Great Britain exited the WTA and ATP mixed tournament in the group stages.
Raducanu has since turned her focus to the Hobart International, where she will next take on Taylah Preston.
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Mats Wilander says Emma Raducanu needs more time to compete for Grand Slams
Raducanu will be the 28th seed at the Australian Open, where she will be some way away from competing for the title, according to Mats Wilander.
The former world number one told TNT Sports: “Well, I think she can do something like winning a couple of matches.
“I don’t expect Emma Raducanu’s game to be good enough where she can get to the quarters or semis or final because I don’t think her game is good enough and I don’t think the preparation is there.
“I think she has the talent. I think technically she has the shots. I think the serve technically is good enough.
“I think in the future, she can be competing with the best players in the world, but she’s not there. She doesn’t need two months.
“She needs a couple of years of being on tour week in, week out to toughen her up physically and to toughen her up mentally. She’s not ready to have a great tournament.
“And I’m hoping one day you will see Emma Raducanu that is physically ready. I know that injuries is bad luck, and to her, she’s having too much bad luck.”
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Wilander certainly knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level, having won seven Grand Slam titles during his superb career.
Raducanu, in contrast, has one Grand Slam title to her name, having triumphed at the US Open back in 2021.
Remarkably, that represents her only career title on the WTA Tour, with Raducanu having been plagued by various injuries since then.
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She’s now looking to build her fitness in Hobart, where she’s earned a direct path to the quarterfinals after her scheduled round of 16 opponent Magdalena Frech withdrew due to injury.
And that match comes after Raducanu’s opener against Camila Osorio, which she won 6-3, 7-6(7-2), was delayed by a day due to rain.
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