‘Emma Raducanu is built to win Grand Slam titles,’ says former Wimbledon champion
A former Wimbledon champion believes Emma Raducanu will go on to win multiple Grand Slams in her career and is ‘excited’ to watch her over the next decade.
Marion Bartoli, who tasted Grand Slam success of her own at Wimbledon in 2013, believes the 18-year-old is ‘built’ for major success in the sport after a remarkable start to her WTA career.
Raducanu will face a huge test in Saturday’s final as she takes on fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez, who has already taken out some of the biggest names in tennis en route to the final.
Regardless of the result, Bartoli believes both players are going to be established at the top of the sport and win multiple Grand Slam titles.
“It’s going to be a lot more difficult for both of them because both of them see the opportunity – and obviously it’s a major one,” said the former Wimbledon champion.
“But I think they have to look at the bigger picture because they’re going to be both established to go on and win multiple Grand Slams.
“It’s not going to stop right after this final, it just really starts. Of course it’s going to be more difficult because they are the same age, same generation, roughly the same ranking and for both of them, it’s such a big day, so they don’t want to miss a big opportunity.
“But no matter what happens, it’s only the start for both of them, definitely only the start. It’s not going to be the only time they are going play a Grand Slam final, so they have to look at the bigger picture.”
Bartoli praises Raducanu for ‘making her history’ after becoming the first qualifier ever to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, let alone the semi-final match.
“For me, she has really made her history. She is just built for this and she will go on and even if she doesn’t win this one, she will win one very quickly after that.
“I am so excited to see her play for the next decade or so because I just love her game. She moves really well, but she’s very aggressive as well.
“She comes inside the court, she tries to take the ball early, she is hitting enough winners, and that sort of game-style I love to see her play.”
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