Emma Raducanu experiencing ‘more pressure’ than ever says Slam legend
18 time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert believes that by winning the 2021 US Open, Emma Raducanu now has a ”target on her back” for the rest of 2022.
Eurosport tennis analyst Evert believes that Raducanu possesses the talent to go far in the women’s game but due to her recent success and becoming a regular fixture on the WTA tour, players are beginning to understand her game and tactics in matches, therefore making it more difficult for the British number one to succeed.
“I think Raducanu has a high ceiling. I don’t know when we’re going to see it because there’s so many great players out there, and I think she’s still young and she still can improve her game. It’s so human to have a little bit of a downfall after you win your first Grand Slam. Most of the women who have won their first Grand Slam title have done that, where all of a sudden they’re not winning anymore. They’re not as dominant as people think they should be.”
Evert added, “Even though she’s gotten a lot of endorsements and she’s raking in the money, I genuinely feel that tennis is still the number one priority in her mind. I do believe she’s working hard at her game. But it’s going to be tough because now she has a target on her back and now all the players are gunning for it.
”They know she doesn’t have the confidence that she had at the US Open or the unpredictability. They know her game. After a newcomer wins a Grand Slam, every coach is getting statistics finding out ‘does she get more crosscourt forehands or more down the line forehands? Where does she go with her first serve normally?’ They study the player, and now the word is out with all of her patterns. She feels a little bit more pressure. So she’s not winning matches, but I feel with time and work, she will get, I think, at the top of the game but I think she’ll be very much a top five player.”
Emma Raducanu received a first-round bye at the Indian Wells Masters and could end up facing the Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska in the second round.
Evert discussed Raducanu’s chances of winning the Indian Wells Masters and believes the 13th seed has a great opportunity to go far in the tournament. “I am very impressed with Emma. Not only her composure, but I’m very impressed with her realistic thinking about her game. And she has a lot of common sense and it comes off in her interviews and I’m very impressed with that. If she keeps well grounded and working hard, it’s going to happen for her and it’ll even be sweeter this next time around.”
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