Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey says he “genuinely believes” Emma Raducanu will win a number of Grand Slam titles as the present tennis commentator and analyst highlights she is “too good to not succeed” sooner or later and backs the previous world No. 10 to be a really harmful participant subsequent yr.
After consistently combating accidents and bodily setbacks, the 22-year-old had surgical procedures on each wrists and her ankle a yr and a half in the past. For somebody to have such large surgical procedures at a younger age was all however superb and there was completely uncertainty about how it might pan out.
However now, it’s protected to say that it was the correct transfer contemplating that Raducanu was a lot more healthy this fashion and it positively impacted her efficiency – she reached the Nottingham semifinal, made the round-of-16 at Wimbledon and likewise had her first two wins over top-10 gamers. Nonetheless, there have been nonetheless some occasional niggles, just like the one in late 2024.
Petchey, who labored with the 2021 US Open champion for a while a few years in the past, thinks she is trending in the correct course.
“The tougher you’re employed, the better it turns into once you play tennis matches. When you already know you’ve put within the work the matches change into ‘simpler’ as a result of your follow periods ought to be arguably tougher than the matches themselves. Emma is simply too good for my part to not succeed. She’s too athletic. She’s too motivated when she’s in between the strains. I believe typically there have been a couple of occasions when she hasn’t been as ready as she wish to be,” he instructed Betway.
Petchey warns: No one will need to play Raducanu
As talked about above, the 22-year-old perhaps did not win any titles this yr however she seemed a lot better on the court docket in comparison with some earlier years. Additionally, she lastly beat some gamers ranked contained in the top-10.
So in Petchey’s thoughts, if the British tennis participant stays dedicated to onerous work and getting higher – and likewise stays wholesome – there may be completely no motive to not assume that she may have a good higher 2025 and presumably change into among the best within the sport.
“I’ve 100% confidence she is going to do the work within the low season. There’s no one on the market that is going to get pleasure from enjoying Emma when she’s absolutely match and absolutely motivated. It would not take a rocket scientist to take a seat right here and say to you that she’s going to be pushing a number of the highest 10 gamers constantly over the subsequent twelve months,” Petchey added.
“However there needs to be a dedication to week in week out tournaments. The dipping out and in would not assist the bodily facet of issues. I need her to have longevity within the sport. I do not need her out of the game at 26 or 27. Her group ought to be taking a look at how they handle her from right here on in for one more fifteen years of enjoying this sport if that is what she needs to do. I believe she’s nicely positioned to try this.”
Petchey shuts down the claims of Raducanu being a one-Slam marvel
After reaching the 2021 Wimbledon round-of-16 as an 18-year-old wildcard in her Slam debut, the Briton wrote tennis historical past two months later by changing into the first-ever qualifier to win a Main. She hasn’t lifted any titles since.
However this previous summer season, Raducanu made the second week at a Grand Slam for the primary time since 2021 – she made the Wimbledon last-16 earlier than struggling a shock loss to Lulu Solar.
It’s not a secret that the 22-year-old handled some main criticism and scrutiny in the previous few years. One of many extra standard insults that got here her manner was a few of her critics and doubters labeling her “a one Slam marvel.”
Petchey would not agree with that in any respect – and never solely that – he’s not ruling out the potential for the previous world No. 59 making a very deep run at subsequent month’s Australian Open.
“I’ll by no means restrict her potential. I genuinely imagine she’ll win a number of majors earlier than the tip of her profession. I believe it is a stretch to say that she might win the Australian Open, however I additionally do not assume it’s past the realms of chance. All I do know is that if she’s been wholesome and he or she’s received sufficient matches below her belt heading into Australia and he or she will get a positive draw she’ll have a chance to problem for the title. Clearly, a extra life like purpose proper now could be reaching the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park,” Petchey mentioned.
Earlier this yr, Raducanu confidently said that she has little doubt that she is going to win Wimbledon someday.
