Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray bring ‘feel good factor back to British Tennis,’ says Great Britain captain

Anne Keothavong thinks “it is a really exciting time” for British tennis as Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie have got people interested in tennis.

Following three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray’s return to form, Cameron Norrie’s unforeseen rise up the ATP world rankings and Emma Raducanu’s shock US Open win as a qualifier, Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong feels more Britons are interested in British tennis.

This has been supported by data and statistics released by grassroots sports management app Spond. Their user data shows that an estimated 100,000 Britons picked up a tennis racket in the two months following Raducanu’s US Open victory.

Keothavong told BBC Sport that “there is a feel good factor in British tennis at the moment. On the back of Emma [Raducanu] and Cam’s [Cameron Norrie’s] success it is a really exciting time.

“People are talking about tennis, people are interested in tennis and people want to play. It is great.”

In relation to Raducanu’s development, Keothavong said “how she develops in 2022 is the big question. She is yet to play a full year on the WTA Tour and until she really has that under her belt I think it is difficult to make any predictions.

“It is still a steep learning curve for her and she needs to make sure she is robust and fit enough to withstand the demands that being on tour brings.

“It is not only travelling week on week, but also being the target of other players so soon in her career. She’s the one who everyone wants to beat.

“But it will be so exciting to see how she develops.”

Finally, Andy Murray underwent hip surgery in 2019 but Keothavong has been impressed by his recovery, saying “we’ve seen in some of his performances in recent months he certainly has the ability.

“The guy has a metal hip but he is still moving like a gazelle at times. Stringing wins together has been the difficulty. But the signs are good and I think there is a lot to be positive about with Andy.”

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