After her run at Queen’s, Emma Raducanu should head to Wimbledon brimming with confidence.
After all, she excelled on the grass once more, recapturing that aggressive, front-foot brand of tennis which once earned her huge success.
In the years since that 2021 US Open triumph, the British number one has become confused in her methods whilst also suffering from relentless injury and health concerns.
It feels like only now that Raducanu has re-hired Andrew Richardson, the man who led her to a maiden major title, that things are getting back on track.
However, just as she seemed to be making progress, the 23-year-old has made yet another confusing decision which could halt her momentum.
Emma Raducanu withdraws from Eastbourne
Emma Raducanu’s grass-court season had been mapped out from very early on. It was clear that she would play Queen’s, then Nottingham, before heading to Eastbourne for her final event before Wimbledon.
However, it seems like her deep run at the former of those events has seen them rip up that schedule completely.
How far do you think Emma Raducanu will go at Wimbledon after watching her at Queen’s?
Withdrawing from Nottingham was justifiable, given how quick the turnaround was from her final against Donna Vekic.
But to have now opted out of playing Eastbourne marks a head-scratching decision which will see her return to the All England Club with just one tournament’s worth of experience on the grass.
Her aforementioned fitness concerns are always a factor to consider, and Raducanu did suffer an injury whilst at Queen’s which required strapping in that final.
However, if this is merely a decision to preserve her fitness, then her chances of success at Wimbledon are surely slim.
Emma Raducanu has listened to Greg Rusedski’s advice
It’s ironic that, just days after Raducanu had seemingly ignored Greg Rusedski’s advice, she now seems to have completely changed her outlook on the coming weeks.
After all, he argued that she should have played Nottingham and then withdrawn from Eastbourne, maintaining momentum before affording herself a week-long break before Wimbledon.
Where do you think Emma Raducanu will finish 2026 ranked?
She has, of course, decided to withdraw from both, meaning she is not 100% aligned with Rusedski’s thinking.
That being said, at the very least this will hopefully give Raducanu more than enough time to return to Wimbledon fully fit, fresh, and ready to excite her home crowd with a deep run.
