Emma Raducanu, the 21-year-old tennis sensation, has recently come under fire for her approach to competition and scheduling. A well-known physical trainer from the ATP Tour has voiced concerns about her decision-making process, suggesting that it may impact her career longevity. Despite her remarkable talent, Raducanu’s injury history raises alarms about her future in the sport.
Having claimed victory at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu faced significant setbacks last year, enduring serious wrist and ankle injuries that necessitated surgeries. This tumultuous period kept her out of action for nearly nine months, demanding a lengthy rehabilitation process. She made her return at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, where she showed promise by reaching the semifinals of the Nottingham Open and performing admirably at the Billie Jean King Cup in April.
However, her choices have drawn scrutiny, particularly her decision to go without competitive matches for over three weeks before the US Open. Opting out of qualifying rounds for both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, Raducanu faced Sofia Kenin in the first round of the US Open, where she suffered an early exit. Reflecting on this experience, she acknowledged that her lack of preparation was misguided and vowed to learn from it.
To amend her prior missteps, Raducanu aimed for a packed schedule during the current Asian swing, beginning her campaign with two victories at the Korea Open in Seoul. Unfortunately, her progress was halted when she had to retire from her quarterfinal match due to an injury, subsequently withdrawing from the China Open due to a foot ligament sprain.
Kieron Vorster, a trainer who has worked with prominent players like Tim Henman and Dan Evans, criticized Raducanu for not competing enough despite her rigorous training. He emphasized that while hard work is commendable, without match experience, her body isn’t sufficiently conditioned for the demands of continuous play. Vorster expressed concern that she might be surrounded by too many people offering her uncritical support rather than honest advice about her need for more competitive play. He believes her abbreviated schedule is perplexing, especially given her capabilities as a player. Additionally, he remarked that her early success at the US Open may have created unrealistic expectations, leading to missed opportunities, such as skipping the French Open and the Olympics, which he finds particularly bewildering for a player of her age.