In the aftermath of a riveting contest at Wimbledon, Aryna Sabalenka, the formidable player from Belarus, expressed her admiration for British tennis star Emma Raducanu. Sabalenka’s commendation came after Raducanu’s compelling performance, through which she managed to defeat 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets in the previous round. Following this achievement, Raducanu has set her sights on the upcoming hard-court season, particularly as she prepares for the US Open, scheduled to commence on August 24. Additionally, she is reportedly seeking clarity regarding her coaching setup moving forward.
Reflecting on her team dynamics, Raducanu noted the complexities tied to her coaching decisions. This season’s notable improvement in her playing form could be attributed to her decision to bring Mark Petchey—a former coach to the illustrious Andy Murray—onto her coaching team during the Miami Open. Petchey has been assisting Raducanu while simultaneously juggling his commitments as a TV commentator. However, Raducanu conveyed uncertainty about the future of this partnership, explaining, “It’s very difficult,” in the wake of her loss to Sabalenka. This mentorship relationship was only meant to extend until the end of Wimbledon, after which both parties were expected to reevaluate their collaborative working arrangement.
In the past two years, Raducanu has navigated a series of coaching transitions since her remarkable triumph at the US Open in 2021. Earlier in the season, coach Nick Cavaday stepped back to prioritize his health, while a two-week trial with Vladimir Platenik also concluded before the Miami Open. As a player who has seen multiple coaching changes, Raducanu must now find stability to propel her career forward.
Despite her early exit from Wimbledon, Raducanu’s performance against Sabalenka provides a glimmer of hope for the rest of the year. During the match, Raducanu had opportunities to secure the first set and, at one point, led 4-1 in the second set. “It does give me confidence because I think the problem before was that I felt like I was gulfs away from the very top,” she articulated, expressing that her recent matches against top-tier players reveal that she is not far behind. “I think I did make good progress in the last few months, 100%, with the consistency and the work I’ve been doing,” she asserted, underscoring the importance of continuous effort.
Looking ahead, Raducanu’s immediate focus shifts to hard-court tournaments, starting with the Citi Open in Washington, DC. Last year, Raducanu reached the quarter-finals of the WTA 500 event, and she will face tough competitors like Jessica Pegula, Paula Badosa, and Naomi Osaka in the upcoming draw. Following this tournament, Raducanu will compete in both the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Montreal starting on July 27, and the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open from August 7, before culminating her summer hard-court season at the US Open.
Raducanu reflected on the transition from grass to hard courts, emphasizing, “I feel like grass for me is a great surface. It’s a bit of a leveller.” She recognizes that adapting to the different dynamics of hard courts in the United States introduces a new set of challenges. Nonetheless, Raducanu is the memory of her incredible achievement in winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021—a highlight of her burgeoning career.
In the broader context of British tennis, the Wimbledon results have shifted the rankings for British women players. Following her exit in the third round of Wimbledon, Raducanu is poised to drop to No. 45 in the WTA rankings. Meanwhile, Sonay Kartal’s notable advancement to the fourth round will secure her the position of British No. 2, nudging ahead of Raducanu. Katie Boulter remains established as the British No. 1. With only a few ranking points separating these talented players, British tennis will remain an exciting arena to follow in the next few tournaments.
As tennis enthusiasts gear up for the events in simulation, they can catch live coverage of the Wimbledon singles finals and daily highlights through TNT Sports and discovery+. With a competitive schedule ahead, Raducanu is on the brink of redefining her trajectory in the sport, aiming to reignite the passion that won her admiration in the past.
