Raducanu will face a ‘steep learning curve’ over the next ten months, says Judy Murray
Judy Murray feels “the next ten months will be completely different to anything Emma Raducanu has experienced” as she adjusts to life on the professional tour.
At just 18 years old, Raducanu shocked the world when she won the US Open and became the first qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam title.
British sensation Raducanu achieved this feat without dropping a single set against some of the world’s best in World number six Maria Sakkari and Swiss Olympic Gold Medallist Belinda Bencic.
As a result of her phenomenal season, 19-year-old Raducanu broke into the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) top 20. Raducanu was also named WTA Newcomer of the Year, BT Action Woman of the Year and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Coach Judy Murray wrote in The Telegraph that she feels “the next ten months will be completely different to anything she [Raducanu] has experienced in her fledgling albeit incredibly exciting career.
“It will be a steep learning curve on the women’s circuit as she adjusts from the relative anonymity of an A-Level schoolgirl to the dog-eat-dog world of week in, week out tour tennis.
“Everybody on the circuit now knows who she is. Coaches and competitors will be doing their homework and as a Grand Slam champion and top-20 player, she will be a massive scalp.
“Going from being the hunter – and playing without pressure – to the hunted where you are a target – requires a very different mindset.
Judy referenced how her son and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray adjusted to the professional tour. She said “I know what Andy went through as a young player getting to grips with the life and business of the tour.
“It’s a steep and tricky learning curve and growing up in public isn’t easy. And it’s not just the player who has to adapt to being in the spotlight, your friends and family do too.
“When you’re the ‘next big thing’ everyone wants a piece of you and the opportunities and requests have to be carefully managed.
“We’ve seen the incredible events that Emma’s been invited to, the awards that she’s won, the sponsors and the brands she’s now representing. She is – quite rightly – tennis and marketing gold dust right now,” Murray claimed.
“Emma has a very level head on her. She’s super smart and committed to her sport. Her tennis is already in such a good place, but it’s important that we don’t heap expectation and pressure on her.
“She’s a teenager. Let’s give her time and space to grow her game and get to grips with what the pro tennis circuit will demand of her.”
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