Emma Raducanu shocked the world when she won the 2021 US Open as a complete underdog after making it to the main draw from the qualifiers. She took the tennis world by storm and became an overnight sensation.
However, it was a bit too much for the youngster, as all the spotlight and expectations that followed led to a lot of pressure. That, along with a series of injuries, plagued her career at a young age.
The British player missed a major chunk of the 2023 season owing to her wrist and ankle issues, for which she had surgeries.
She has now recovered and recently made her comeback in the 2024 Auckland Open. She won the first match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse before losing to Elina Svitolina after a great match in the second round.
Eurosport’s expert Mats Wilander said that he is highly optimistic about a positive performance by Emma Raducanu at the 2024 Australian Open. He said that the youngster performed well at the ATP Auckland, especially in the first couple of sets.
She’s such a great tennis player; I thought so the first time I saw her when she made the fourth round at Wimbledon. Immediately you can see how talented she is, she doesn’t have any weaknesses, and I was also there for the US Open. Said the former World No. 1. (H/T: Eurosport)
Mats Wilander draws the similarities between Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu
Wilander said that Emma Raducanu is an exceptional player, but she cannot get into the flow if she keeps on getting injured, as it takes a major hit to a player’s confidence.
Saying this, she compared her to Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who is suffering from the same problem.
She (Emma) seems to have a great mind and moves extremely well. You hope that the injuries won’t follow her for the rest of her career. She reminds me of Bianca Andreescu, the Canadian, when they’re healthy, they’re incredible tennis players; young, but they understand the game. He said.
Emma Raducanu is set to face Shelby Rogers in the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. Raducanu had also defeated the American in the round of 16 of the 2021 US Open before proceeding to win the title.
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