Emma Raducanu has faced an overwhelming amount of scrutiny since her breakthrough victory at the 2021 US Open, a feat that propelled her into the spotlight, according to Naomi Broady, the former WTA player and respected commentator.
When Raducanu made history by becoming the first player to qualify for a Grand Slam and go on to win it, the media and tennis world at large reacted with a whirlwind of attention. The magnitude of her achievement catapulted her into global superstardom, setting expectations sky-high. However, as is often the case with such meteoric rises, maintaining that level of success was always going to be a monumental challenge, particularly with Raducanu dealing with a series of injuries and a revolving door of coaches over the past few years.
After the 2023 Australian Open, where she suffered a crushing 6-1, 6-0 defeat to world No. 2 Iga Świątek, Raducanu’s coach, Nick Cavaday, made the decision to step away from tennis due to health concerns. That loss underscored the gap that still exists between Raducanu and the sport’s elite. Nevertheless, Broady remains confident that the young Brit has the ability to rebound and compete for major titles, despite facing more hurdles than many of her peers.
Tennis fans and online critics alike have been quick to pounce on Raducanu’s setbacks, often labeling her US Open triumph as a fluke and suggesting that she’ll never achieve similar success again. However, Broady dismisses these claims, emphasizing that such remarks stem from a lack of understanding of the game.
“People who claim Emma got lucky or that her US Open win was a fluke simply don’t understand tennis,” Broady stated in an exclusive interview with Tennis365. “You can’t come through qualifying, win seven matches without dropping a set, and take home a Grand Slam title by sheer luck. It’s impossible.”
Broady went on to stress that Raducanu undeniably has the talent to return to the top, but she needs to block out the noise and focus on her game. “It’s tough not to be affected by the negativity circulating online, but she’s got a strong team around her now, and that’s going to be crucial. I think she’s already made her circle much smaller, and that’s a good move for her mental and emotional well-being.”
While Raducanu’s defeat against Świątek exposed the gap between the top tier and the rest, Broady is optimistic that, with consistency and good health, Raducanu can close that gap and challenge for the top titles again. “It’s difficult to gauge what ‘success’ looks like for Emma right now, and I’m sure she and her team feel the same way,” Broady reflected. “But when she’s fully fit, she has the level to compete with the best. Once she starts winning matches again, that confidence and belief will return.”
Broady also praised Raducanu’s recent appointment of Yutaka Nakamura, calling him an excellent addition to her team. “Nakamura is not only one of the best in the business, but he also brings a great balance of personality and expertise. His guidance will be crucial, especially when it comes to managing her body, as we’ve seen with players like Jack Draper, who’s had remarkable success after focusing on his physicality.”
Broady’s insight into Raducanu’s journey is clear—talent alone is not enough; physical resilience and smart management of one’s body are equally crucial. “Emma has the talent,” Broady concluded. “Now it’s about keeping her body in top condition to win the matches that will elevate her back to the top of the rankings. It’s a matter of time.”
Raducanu, who remains determined to keep pushing forward, has committed to playing more matches in 2025. For her, staying healthy is just as important as refining any technical aspects of her game. Only with a consistent and injury-free season can she truly rediscover her form and challenge the tennis world once again.