The first qualifier to triumph in a Grand Slam competition during the Open Era, and current world no. 186 Emma Raducanu has dropped out of the US Open. The British player’s unexpected victory at the 2021 US Open propelled her to overnight celebrity. However, Raducanu experienced injuries in the ankle, and both wrists, which is also the reason for her missing the championship.
Even though the former world No. 10 made a return to the practice court, she won’t be prepared for the US Open. Konta remarked how Emma Raducanu must rebuild her form from scratch as she recovers from three surgeries. “Emotionally and mentally she was playing catch-up with the success she achieved that maybe she wasn’t as prepared for,” she said.
Konta on Emma Raducanu: “She’ll want to get back on court as soon as she can. If she can be back for US Open, she will do that. Whether her body will allow it remains to be seen. As a player you want to be back as soon as possible. I don’t think she’ll take any extra time out” pic.twitter.com/LKsdMWKpYa
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 9, 2023
According to Konta, Raducanu’s post-surgery recovery could serve as the starting point for a long and prosperous career. He included how building and strengthening herself physically, mentally, and emotionally would help build her a ‘solid’ career. Johanna revealed how he thinks this won’t be a comeback for Raducanu; rather, she will build her career from here on.
According to Johanna Konta, Emma Raducanu’s unexpected victory at the US Open put her in an incomprehensible situation. He declared that Raducanu’s victory was surprising. Konta revealed the 20-year-old had the opportunity to reinvent herself now that she is back on the practice court.
Tim Henman speaks on how Emma Raducanu will return after her surgery
Due to the injury, Raducanu missed the majority of the 2023 season. She has a 5-5 record after playing just 10 games in five events so far this year. She last played at Stuttgart in April at the clay court, where she, unfortunately, lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the first round.
The 20-year-old’s forced hiatus from the tour, according to the former British No. 1 Henman, may actually turn out to be advantageous in the long run.
He revealed how he thinks it would be a “great achievement” for the British player if she could be able to play “22,23” tournaments in the future this year after her surgery. He justified his claim by asserting that one can only play if they are healthy and fit.
The only way is up for @EmmaRaducanu 😁
Tim Henman 🗣 @theipaper pic.twitter.com/RUQzMnKw91
— LTA (@the_LTA) August 20, 2023
“She’s that good a player. She’s too good not to win matches.” Henman said to the i, and showed his optimism. Tim concluded by saying “She’s gonna have so many opportunities ahead of her. She and we just need to be a little bit patient.”
Raducanu’s victory at the Flushing Meadows back when she was only 18 years old was an iconic and historic event. While the surgeries have played a major, and perhaps the biggest, role in Emma’s hiatus, there have been several other setbacks in her career too.
From revealing how she dealt with breathing problems due to stress, to several changes of coaches, Raducanu has faced it all and come out of it strikingly.