Emma Raducanu ‘felt sorry for’ by a former British No.1
Emma Raducanu has faced another injury setback this week, having been forced to pull out of the Madrid Open, and former British No.1 Greg Rusedski has offered his sympathy to the 2021 US Open champion.
Raducanu withdrew from the Masters 1000 event with a hand injury that is believed to be linked to the wrist troubles she has been having since the back end of 2022.
The day prior, Raducanu had given an uncharacteristic 58-word press conference which Rusedski has voiced his opinions on, “I am digesting the Emma Raducanu press conference from Madrid, and I have to say I feel sorry for her.”
He continued, “She did the hardest thing you can possibly do in tennis and win a major from qualifying, which we will never see again in our lifetime.”
“Yes, there has not been a consistent team around her since her victory, which is unfortunate, but she was not prepared for global superstardom after winning the US Open.”
I am digesting the Emma Raducanu press conference from Madrid and I have to say I feel sorry for her. She did the hardest thing you can possibly do in tennis and win a major from qualifying which we will never see again in our lifetime. Yes there has not been
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) April 28, 2023
The 20-year-old being absent from the tournament in the Spanish capital means that she will fall outside the top 100 for the first time since her US Open triumph.
Rusedski believes that her drop in results is due to the ‘pressure’ put on her, “She has felt too much expectation ever since and pressure. The freedom and joy have unfortunately disappeared. I really hope she can find the love of the game she once had and enjoy her tennis.”
“If she can get healthy, stay in the moment each day, [with] each practice, there is no reason she cannot get back to having a great career.”
The 1997 US Open finalist added, “Unfortunately, too much success too early can be a very big burden to carry if you are not prepared for it. I really hope she can get back.”
Emma Raducanu injury woes in 2023
Raducanu had said that her focus over the off-season at the end of 2022 was to focus on her fitness and appointed renowned fitness trainer Jez Green, who had previously worked with Andy Murray, after many difficulties last year .
However, things do not seem to have gone to plan for the young Brit who has had a very disrupted season so far, having only played five tournaments in 2023.
Here are the tournaments Raducanu has withdrawn from this year:
Auckland – Retired in the second round with an ankle injury
Austin – Withdrew before the tournament with tonsillitis
Madrid – Withdrew before the tournament with a hand injury
Due to the severity of the injury being unknown, it is unclear as to whether Raducanu will be able to complete the clay court season in Rome and the second Grand Slam of the year Roland Garros, that begins on the 28th May.
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
