Boris Becker believes Raducanu will benefit from having a busier schedule - "Forget the Grand Slams"

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker is of the opinion that British star Emma Raducanu should focus on having a busier tennis schedule, with the aim of playing more matches to help improve her game.

Raducanu lost in the second round of the Australian Open to World No.91 Danka Kovinic, and was hampered by blisters on her hand during the match. Nonetheless, the 19-year old had not had much match play since lifting her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open, and Becker believes this also played a factor in her poor run of form.

"I remain a big fan of Emma Raducanu and am still convinced that, in the long run, she has everything it takes to be a multiple winner of majors and a genuine superstar," wrote Becker in is column for The Daily Mail. “Her preparations for Australia were interrupted and after her second-round defeat she was hinting that she might go back and put in some extra time training to get herself stronger.

“This slightly worries me because what she needs – both to improve herself physically and to become a better player – is to play more tournaments, not fewer. She should be planning on having a busy schedule, throwing herself into the thick of the tour and tackling the smaller and medium-sized events that make up most of the circuit."

The German tennis legend believes an increase in matches played will not only improve Raducanu's fitness, but also grant her the experience needed to tackle the variety of players found on the WTA circuit.

“Forget the Grand Slams and what happened last year for a while, what she needs is to build up a bulk of experience and realize there is no substitute for playing matches," added Becker.

“These are what will make her tennis-fit and give her the know-how to compete at her best at the majors. There may have been reasons for it but getting blisters on your hand is a sign you have not been competing enough at maximum intensity.

“There is no need for Emma to worry in the long term, she just has to get out there and play.”