"You can't win a Grand Slam by luck" – Broady defends Raducanu amid criticism

by Peter Ryan

Monday, 03 February 2025 at 16:09

Emma Raducanu has been one of the most recognisable names in tennis ever since her historic triumph at the 2021 US Open. The British star quickly rose to stardom, becoming the face of British tennis. However, in recent years, she has struggled to find consistent results.

Former British number two, Naomi Broady, has now spoken out, offering support and advice to Raducanu while addressing some of the criticism directed at her.

Looking to get back to consistent winning ways

Raducanu's Grand Slam title run in 2021 seems like a distant memory. Entering the US Open as a wildcard, her extraordinary run to the title was one of the greatest Cinderella stories in tennis history. However, maintaining that level has proven to be challenging.

Going into 2025, many wondered how Raducanu would perform. However, she endured a disappointing Australian Open, exiting in the second round, followed by a first-round defeat in Singapore. Now, she will be looking to drastically improve her form in the coming tournaments.

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Amid her struggles, some critics have questioned whether her US Open win was a fluke. Broady, however, has strongly defended Raducanu, speaking to Tennis365:

"People who have that attitude and say Emma got lucky when she won the US Open don't understand tennis," Broady said.

"You hear them say she is a one-Slam wonder and it was a fluke that she won the US Open.

"If you understand tennis, you will know that is not possible. You can't come through qualifying, win seven matches without dropping a set, and win a Grand Slam by luck.

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"She has the level, and she needs to get back there, and it's incredibly difficult not to look at those articles online and get dragged into the negativity.

"Hopefully, the team around her will help with that, and that may be why, over the last year or two, she has made that close circle much smaller. She needs that protection around her."

Concerns over Raducanu's coaching team

Emma Raducanu

Raducanu is currently searching for a new coach following Nick Cavaday’s departure due to health reasons. There has been concern over the instability of her coaching setup, with frequent changes in personnel.

Broady weighed in on Raducanu’s future prospects, highlighting the importance of patience in her career.

"It's hard for us to assess what success is for Emma, and I'm sure the same is true for her and her team," said Broady.

"We know she had the level when she was fully fit, and the belief that she could compete with the best will return once she starts winning matches.

"She is putting in a lot of hard work off the court, and I just love her hiring Yutaka Nakamura. He is such a lovely guy, and they will fit incredibly well with their personalities. He is also one of the best in tennis at what he does.

"He will also give her a lot of support on how to manage her body because, as we have seen with Jack Draper, he has achieved fantastic results when he has managed to do that."

Patience is key for Raducanu’s future

Broady compared Raducanu’s journey to Jack Draper’s, emphasising the importance of patience and stability in their careers. She reassured fans that, with the right conditions, Raducanu’s talent will shine through once again.

Raducanu has already proven she can compete with the very best, and it will be fascinating to see if she can turn things around in 2025.

Emma Raducanu: This year I've gone on loads of solo walks, solo coffee dates & just have a lot of time to look inside. I've been enjoying it so far, even though it's not necessarily the easiest thing to do, especially when the tour is quite a lonely place.https://t.co/UMGVElzHO7 pic.twitter.com/li2EdB5lha
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 2, 2025