Emma Raducanu’s 2026 season has not gone to plan.
Heading into the new year, there was optimism surrounding the Brit, having cut short her 2025 schedule and dedicated time to working with her new coach, Francisco Roig.
However, just three months in and already she has withdrawn from a handful of tournaments, suffered plenty of early exits, and split with the Spaniard.
Many fear for the 22-year-old as the season goes on, but Tim Henman remains optimistic.
In fact, he even believes that a spot in the top 10 awaits Emma Raducanu if she makes just a few key changes.
Tim Henman’s advice for Emma Raducanu
Speaking to Sky Sports after Raducanu withdrew from Miami and later the event in Linz, the pundit sought to explain what he felt was holding the former US Open champion back at the moment.
Focusing on her physicality, Henman insisted: “It was highlighted in a match against (Amanda) Anisimova.
Where do you think Emma Raducanu will finish 2026 ranked?
“She’s never going to be as big a ball striker as Anisimova and the physicality that she brings to the court is obviously intimidating, as these top players are. But that’s where I think Raducanu needs to be physically stronger. She needs more physical resilience so she doesn’t get the little injuries that put her away from the court. They stop her building the momentum on the match court.
“You can still do a lot of physical work on the court, whether it’s two on one when you’re hitting and moving and building up that physical resilience to get stronger, to get faster, to hit the ball harder, to serve bigger. If I could pinpoint one area, it would most definitely be fitness.”
He then rated her chances of making a return to the top ten, adding: “I think we all appreciate and understand and see how good she could be.
“If she can continue to add these pieces to the puzzle there’s no reason why she can’t get in the top 20 and then knock on the door of the top 10.
“It does feel however far we get away from the US Open win, that spotlight will never dim.
“She’s a really good athlete, but when she stretched out, she cannot withstand the power that’s coming at her and give it back and that’s where the gym work comes in.”
Emma Raducanu needs to figure out her fitness issues after latest withdrawal
Raducanu has suffered from unpredictable physical issues and health concerns throughout her career.
It’s quite a worrying trend for someone so young, who seems to get struck down relatively regularly with illnesses.
Sonay Kartal is now Britain’s best WTA player… do you agree? 🤔
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She admitted to having picked up a chest infection during her run to the final in Cluj, and now, nearly two months on, she continues to be plagued by similar issues.
Nobody should question her professionalism and commitment to the cause, but perhaps a change is needed. Whether that be dietary or workload management, something clearly has to change.
After all, it would be a shame to see such a promising and talented player fail to live up to her potential because of an inability to tackle her health issues.
