Title: Raducanu receives bold Grand Slam prediction
Emma Raducanu must fully dedicate herself to tennis if she hopes to reach her full potential, says seasoned coach Mark Petchey. Raducanu’s 2024 season has been inconsistent, marked by injuries and selective tournament entries, yet there is a silver lining. Despite the challenges, she has surged 200 spots in the rankings, now sitting at No. 59. Petchey believes that, while progress is evident, the key to unlocking her potential lies in her commitment to the sport.
Raducanu’s sporadic presence on the court has been influenced by injury setbacks and strategic decisions, such as skipping qualifying rounds for certain tournaments. Petchey, who coached Andy Murray early in his career and worked with Raducanu prior to her stunning US Open victory, suggests that in 2025, the young Brit must focus her energy entirely on tennis. In his latest column with Betway, Petchey shared his insights on what Raducanu needs to do moving forward.
“The harder you work, the easier it becomes when you play tennis matches,” Petchey remarked. “When you know you’ve put in the work, matches feel ‘easier’ because your practice sessions should be harder than the matches themselves.” He emphasized that Raducanu’s athleticism and drive are undeniable, but there have been moments where her preparation hasn’t matched her potential.
Petchey expressed complete confidence that Raducanu will put in the necessary work during the off-season. “There’s nobody out there that’s going to enjoy playing Emma when she’s fully fit and motivated,” he said. “She will be pushing top 10 players consistently over the next twelve months.” However, Petchey also stressed that Raducanu needs to commit to playing regular tournaments to build the physical resilience required for sustained success. “The dipping in and out doesn’t help the physical side of things,” he pointed out. “I want her to have longevity in the sport. I don’t want her out of the sport at 26 or 27.”
The veteran coach also stressed the importance of long-term planning. “Her team should be looking at how they manage her for another fifteen years in the sport if that’s what she wants to do,” Petchey advised. “I think she’s well placed to do that.”
Despite the criticism Raducanu often faces online, Petchey remains unwavering in his belief that she can return to her winning ways. He foresees Raducanu adding more Grand Slam titles to her collection, convinced she has the talent to make it happen in 2025.
“I’ll never limit her potential,” Petchey said. “I genuinely believe she’ll win multiple majors before the end of her career.” While he acknowledges that claiming the Australian Open might be a stretch this year, he does not rule it out entirely. “If she’s healthy, with enough matches under her belt heading into Australia and a favorable draw, she’ll have a shot at the title,” he added. A more realistic goal for now, however, would be for Raducanu to aim for a quarter-final berth in Melbourne.
With Petchey’s support and clear guidance, Raducanu has the potential to thrive, provided she fully embraces the grind of tennis and stays focused on the journey ahead.