Tim Henman
predicted that Emma Raducanu will finish the year even higher in the rankings
and will soon be seeded again in Grand Slams. The 2021 US Open champion
recently returned to the top 100 after reaching the 4th round at Wimbledon.
Raducanu
faced criticism a couple of months ago when she decided to skip the French Open
qualifiers and focus on her preparation for the grass-court swing. However, the
decision paid off as she reached the semifinals at the Nottingham Open, the
quarterfinals at the Eastbourne International, and the fourth round at
Wimbledon.
Tim Henman backs Raducanu’s return to the top
Her recent
results during the grass-court swing allowed her to return to the top 100 after
15 months. The Brit finished 2023 ranked World No. 298, but she has quickly
climbed the rankings, now positioned at No. 72.
Criticism
resurfaced when Raducanu decided to decline the offer to play at the Olympic
Games with a wild card. According to the former World No. 10, the transition to
clay courts was a key factor in her decision to skip Paris 2024.
“Her
challenges have been well documented since she won the US Open, but the level
of play she has shown this year confirms she is absolutely moving in the right
direction,” commented Tim Henman to Tennis 365. “I have no doubts that she will
have some big results in the future.”
“When you
look at her ranking and her position in the WTA Race and realise the limited
number of tournaments she has played, it emphasises her quality,” he added.
“She hasn’t played a full 12 months since coming back from injury so let’s give
her some time.”
Emma Raducanu at 2024 Wimbledon.
“If she can
play for a full 12 months, she will be back in the biggest and best events, and
she will be seeded once again in the Grand Slams before long, and she won’t
have to worry about her schedule,” the former World No. 4 said. “She had a real
chance at Wimbledon as the draw opened up, but the strength in depth in the
women’s game is great now.
“The way
Raducanu came through qualifying to win the US Open was just fantastic, and you
can see the inspiration she provided for young players, especially in Britain,”
stated Henman. “We’ve just seen Andy Murray retire, and having players like
Andy and Emma inspiring our junior players is vital to bringing through the
next champions.
Read also
“When you
reflect on the last 25-30 years of the LTA, they have rightly had some
criticism that they haven’t produced enough players on the performance side,”
he claimed. “Now, when you look at the strength in depth of British players, it
has improved massively on both the men’s and women’s side. So that’s where they
deserve a lot of credit.
“Leadership
comes from the top, and I think Scott Lloyd (LTA CEO) has really got a good
structure in place, and there is a really positive vibe about British tennis,”
Tim Henman added. “Performance and participation are two different areas, but
they are connected. The more people you can get to play the game, the more we
have with the bat and ball in hand, it has to be a good thing.
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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