"Emma Raducanu does not get enough credit" - says Maria Sakkari

Maria Sakkari and Emma Raducanu are both in Nottingham for the WTA event there and the Greek player praised the Brit for what she's been able to do.

Raducanu has had mixed results since winning the US Open finding it tough to adjust to the physical demands of life on the tour, whilst playing against seasoned pros. Her latest defeat was in the second round of the French Open, when she lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in three sets. She also struggled with numerous injuries and another one happened early in her match in Nottingham.

Asked about Emma, Sakkari said:

"I don't really know her that well, but people don't give enough credit to her. She has been playing good. It is not easy, if you exclude the U.S. Open, she is 19. It takes time. The level at WTA is very, very high, so it is going to take time for her and every young player just to get used to the level."

She continued:

"She had a three-week tournament in New York and I think now what she is doing is the right thing. It took me a lot of time because my breakthrough was later than other players. Everyone has different times to break through. For me it was two or three years until I got used to the Tour -- it always takes time."