Emma Raducanu has once again been turning heads, after a tumultuous summer in which she left a lot of tennis fans feeling frustrated.
As one of Great Britain’s most promising young tennis talents, she holds a great burden, especially in the wake of Andy Murray’s retirement.
And, the pressure felt was not eased when she shockingly won the US Open in 2021, catapulting her to fame and a level of expectation that her level of tennis simply wasn’t ready for.
Only now are we seeing her grow into a player of real quality, but this summer has been tough, with Raducanu first snubbing representing Team GB at the Olympics before her antics at Wimbledon drew further frustration.
And now, ahead of the US Open, she has made a couple even more confusing decisions.
Former WTA star Monica Puig can’t believe Emma Raducanu’s decision-making
Chatting to Tennis Channel about both Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, the past and present of Great British tennis, naturally intrigue remained around the latter.
After all, her decision to snub qualifying in both Canada and the Cincinnati Open turned heads, with many hinting at an arrogance brought on by her sole Grand Slam title.
Monica Puig, who played on the WTA for 12 years before retiring, was left particularly baffled by this decision, as she noted: ‘We never really have to shy away from qualifying. It doesn’t mean you are less than by any means but getting those extra matches, which Emma I feel like needs at this point to get that momentum going into the US Open.
‘Because let’s call it like it is, practice is practice, but playing in a match situation is something that can’t be replicated in practice and can only be done while competing.
‘Not really sure what the play was here but hopefully she can find her form heading into the US Open.’
Emma Raducanu needs to start earning her way into tournaments
Whilst Raducanu is likely just prioritising her fitness this year, after the torrid 2023 she previously endured, sooner or later the 21-year-old needs to start earning her way into these events.
After all, she has ridden the wave of her shock 2021 US Open triumph for some time now, and whilst surgery on both wrists and her ankle scuppered some of the extra joy she would have gained, eventually things have to return to normal.
This is even more prevalent given the fact that she has yet to really back up that performance anywhere else, with it remaining her sole WTA title.
Her furthest alternative run at a Grand Slam tournament came this year at Wimbledon, a prioritised Round of 16 exit after Raducanu dropped out of the mixed doubles with Andy Murray.
Earning scorn for that decision, and now commanding further frustration for this perceived arrogance, this young starlet has been in the media limelight ever since she claimed the title in New York.
A blessing and a curse, it is okay to allow 2024 just to be one of recuperation and regaining confidence in her body.
However, sooner or later, Raducanu has to start earning her way into tournaments until her ranking is at the requisite level.
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