Emma Raducanu’s latest stint at the French Open may have ended in a commanding second-round loss, but the bigger conversation surrounding the young Brit continues to focus on her long-term consistency and resilience on tour. Following her 1-6, 2-6 exit at the hands of the indomitable Iga Swiatek, tennis legend John McEnroe weighed in on what he believes is a persistent roadblock in Raducanu’s development: stability in her team setup and overall fitness.
Despite the defeat, Raducanu’s campaign in Paris wasn’t without its merits. She overcame a tricky first-round challenge from world No. 43 Wang Xinyu, battling through a tense three-setter to win 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. The win propelled her into the second round and nudged her up the WTA Live Rankings to No. 37 — her highest position since mid-2022, right before the points from her 2021 US Open triumph dropped off.
The 22-year-old has strung together a fairly promising run of late. She’s recorded 10 wins and 5 losses across her last five tournaments, a stretch highlighted by a quarter-final finish at the Miami Open and a round of 16 appearance in Rome. These performances suggest she’s gradually regaining rhythm on tour, and her recent collaboration with former British No. 1 Mark Petchey — initiated in Miami — may be helping to steer her in the right direction.
Still, for McEnroe, the puzzle remains incomplete. During a TNT Sports session, the outspoken American offered his take on Raducanu’s situation.
“I see that she’s still in and out to some extent with injuries. Finding the right team seems to be an ongoing issue,” said McEnroe, acknowledging both her struggles and potential.
“I don’t know why, I haven’t spoken to her. I’ve met her a couple of times in my entire life. I certainly wish her the best. Anyone that’s won a Slam, you want to see them continue to compete at a high level.”
For McEnroe, the crux of Raducanu’s progress hinges on her inner circle — a factor he feels could make or break her consistency. “It boils down to sort of getting, to me, the right situation around you so that you can be eager to get yourself as healthy and fit as possible, so that you can then go compete at the level you want to consistently. That’s the key. I don’t know where she’s at there.”
His sentiment is shared by fellow former No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam winner Jim Courier, who has also observed the signs of a slow but steady rebuild taking shape in Raducanu’s game.
“It’s a rebuilding year for her, she’s been working on rebuilding her body, now she’s working on rebuilding her confidence,” Courier stated, acknowledging the dual challenge of recovery — both physical and psychological.
He further emphasized how regaining self-belief could spark a shift in how she’s perceived by her peers. “And some of that comes down to also once you get that confidence you get a little bit more aura and you bring some swagger back to the court and that affects how your opponents view playing you as well.”
The tennis world, from fans to former champions, seems aligned in rooting for Raducanu’s resurgence. While the early exit at Roland-Garros may sting, her recent uptick in form and the prospect of stability under Petchey’s guidance could be the springboard she needs.
As Courier summed up, “So, this is going to be a very interesting rest of the year for her. I wish her the best. I hear she’s a wonderful person.”
With the spotlight ever-hovering and expectations trailing closely behind, Raducanu’s story in 2025 is far from over — and if she manages to solve the “ongoing issue” McEnroe pointed to, the second chapter of her career could soon take flight.