Emma Raducanu told she needs to prove ‘the motivation is there’ as big rankings goal is set
Emma Raducanu’s commitment to tennis has been questioned time and again since her famous US Open win in 2021 and now she is set to face a crucial year that could make or break her career.
Whatever happens from this point forward, Raducanu will always be a Grand Slam champion and that memorable win in New York will forever be one of the great miracles in tennis folklore.
Yet backing up that success has proved to be challenging and former world No 7 Barbara Schett has admitted Raducanu has big questions to answer as she prepares to play in the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open.
Eurosport reporter Schett is backing Raducanu to shine in 2025 if she can retain her fitness levels, but that ambition has already come under the microscope after she pulled out of her first tournament of the year with a back injury.
“I don’t know how many continuous weeks she has played over the last three years,” began Schett, in an exclusive interview with Tennis365.
“There always seem to be disruptions with health issues and injuries. It’s been sad. I just wish she could play for a whole year and then we could see what she can do.
“Let’s see her play 25 tournaments in a year and see where she can be. The problem when you have these constant setbacks is you never get a chance to build up momentum and you always doubt yourself.
“You worry about getting injured and you don’t want to have those thoughts in your head when you are on court.
“It’s hard to believe it’s more than three years since that amazing US Open run and it would be great for tennis if she can come back and compete at the top again.
“Let’s see how she goes. I wish her all the best to break into the top 10 or the top 20 this year, but we just don’t know whether the motivation is there for her.”
Schett suggests happiness off the court will lead to improved motivation on it for Raducanu, as she admits the Brit has had a lot to deal with since her US Open win.
“There’s no doubt the talent is there, but we don’t know what’s going on in her head,” she added.
“As a player, you really need to be focused and follow through 100 per-cent. If you only do 99 per-cent of the work, that is not good enough, so I’m looking forward to seeing how she is going at this Australian Open.
“I follow her on social media and she always looks happy. I hope that is the case and if she can play every week, anything is possible.
“I think she is a player who needs matches to build up her form. It’s not easy to have a few months out and then come to get back quickly.”
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Raducanu has been talking up her hopes of performing well at the Australian Open and as she lost in the second round in Melboune last year, she has a big chance to leap up the rankings if she can make it into the second week in Melbourne.
She has been handed a difficult draw against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who she had been due to play at Wimbledon last summer before the Russian pulled out.
“It’s a tricky draw, of course,” said Raducanu. “Being unseeded, you can play any top opponent. She’s a player with a lot of experience. I guess I’m coming in with the underdog mentality. She’s been in this situation many more times than I have.
“I’ve been playing sets with top players. I’m feeling like I’m holding my own more than OK in those instances and practices.
“I feel pretty good with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court. I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anyone really.
“I think the last 10 days I’ve had a positive block of training. Coming back on the court, adapting to the conditions here, has been good for me. Now I feel good and I feel ready to give it my best here.”
Watch every moment of the Australian Open live on discovery+ starting from January 12.
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