Martina
Navratilova opined that Emma Raducanu is not ‘as fit as she should be’ and
urged the Brit to ‘take ownership of her career’ following her early
elimination at the US Open against Sofia Kenin.
Raducanu
has had a limited tournament schedule, skipping several events throughout the
season. The 2021 US Open champion performed well at the DC Open, reaching the
quarterfinals (losing to Badosa), but decided to skip the WTA 1000 Canadian
Open and Cincinnati tournaments after not receiving wildcards and being forced
to play the qualifying rounds.
Raducanu’s fitness questioned by Navratilova following US Open defeat
The Brit
No. 2 went a month without playing from her elimination in Washington until the
first round against the world No. 54 Kenin, who secured the victory with a
score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Raducanu has faced criticism for skipping tournaments
right in the lead-up to the last Grand Slam of the year.
“I think
Emma needs to take ownership of herself, of her brand, and of her tennis career
most of all,” Martina Navratilova commented on Sky Sports. “She needs to be
clear about who her team is, what her goal is, and not let herself off the
hook.”
“Aryna
Sabalenka, when she had problems with her serve and everybody was trying to
help her, she took ownership of it and fixed it herself,” the 18-time Grand
Slam champion said. “Emma needs to be in charge and she’s old enough to know
what she should be doing – surround herself with good people and then trust in
them, and give it time so that you can see the results.
“Technically
she is great, but she needs more match play. I still don’t think she is as fit
as she should be,” the former world No. 1 added. “I feel like if you don’t want
to play the Olympics because it’s a different surface, you need to fix your
body.
“Maybe it’s
just not equipped for this kind of stress. She needs to think long-term… not
tomorrow or next week.”
The next tournament on the calendar for the world No. 71 is the WTA 250 Seoul in the week of September 16, where she received a wildcard and shares the draw with players like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.
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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