Rick Macci,
former coach of Serena Williams, spoke about the upcoming return of Emma
Raducanu and assured that she has the potential and mindset to return to the
top, albeit gradually. The 21-year-old Briton only competed in five tournaments
this season and will make her comeback at the WTA 250 Auckland Open to prepare
for the Australian Open.
Expectations
for Raducanu after her 2021 US Open title have not yet been fully met, due to
the inconsistency and injuries of the young tennis player. Nevertheless, there
are those who still hold hope that she will once again showcase her immense
talent and become a prominent figure on the Tour upon her return. Coach Rick
Macci is among those who envision a bright future for Raducanu.
“You don’t
lose the talent or the skill: you lose the desire. With Emma, the only thing
that’s a little concerning [is] when I hear she says, ‘I wish I wouldn’t have
won the US Open, because everything changed.’ That’s brutal,” he said to Tennis
Infinity.
“I respect
her honesty, but as a little girl, you pick up the racket, you love to play,
it’s so innocent. Your goal is to like, ‘I want to be like that someday. I want
to win tournaments and win a Grand Slam,” Macci added.
“But
anybody at that age that can go through qualifying, win the US Open, you got
the talent. You got amazing potential mentally, but now it’s all against her.
So I wouldn’t write her off. But just like [Naomi] Osaka, maybe not this year,
but the following year, I think by the end of 2025, she could be top 10 in the
world, if she is all in.”
Rick Macci
has coached five former world No. 1 players: Venus and Serena Williams,
Jennifer Capriati, Maria Sharapova, and Andy Roddick, in addition to other
Grand Slam champions such as Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina, and Sofia Kenin.
The coach recently commented to The Telegraph that Raducanu should focus on her
game and not on what is said about her.
“If she’s
going to listen to every little thing that is said about her then that doesn’t
work, you’ve got to be bulletproof and I can help her with that.
“You need
an ability to forget just as importantly as the ability to remember and she
must learn from the adversity she’s faced,” Macci concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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