Johanna Konta: Emma Raducanu's key goal for Wimbledon is fitness

Former Britain’s number one Johanna Konta believes that the former world number 10 Emma Raducanu’s primary objective for Wimbledon will be to stay fit.

The 21-year-old was once regarded as the next big thing. In 2021, she won the US Open at the age of just 18 after beating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the final with a score of 6-4, 6-3. That victory was even more special because the teenager started the competition through the qualifying round.

Since then, however, not many things have gone right for Raducanu, as she has struggled with consistent fitness concerns and poor form.

Former Britain’s number one Konta was recently quoted in a report stating that, in her opinion, the primary objective of the Toronto-born star was to stay healthy and ensure that she would be in the best of shape for the USA season, where she had more success in the past.

“I mean I would imagine for her, she would be looking to stay healthy physically, to play a lot of matches,” she said. “That will be a big goal of hers. I think for her it will be more than just the grass, it will be to stay healthy into the US swing. She obviously will have incredible memories from the US hard court swing.”

Raducanu returned to court earlier this year after a lengthy injury layoff, but her form has been unable to live up to expectations. She participated in the Australian Open, where she was knocked out after losing in the second round to China’s Wang Yafan with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Her best outing this season came in the Billie Jean King Cup, where she played a key role in helping Britain’s side beat France, which cemented their spot in the final round.

Interestingly, Raducanu withdrew from the French Open, stating she was exhausted after playing continuous tennis since returning to the court.