Chris Evert makes bold Emma Raducanu prediction after fresh surgery

News

Kevin Palmer
May 15, 2023

Emma Raducanu has confirmed she has undergone more surgery, after releasing a fresh image on her social media platforms.

The 2021 US Open champion has struggled with form and fitness concerns over the last 18 months and she underwent surgery on her wrist earlier this month.

That was followed by subsequent surgery on her ankle and now she has released an image showing her other writs has also undergone a medical procedure.

It is unclear how long she will be out of action for after the trio of medical procedures, but she has confirmed she will miss this summer’s grass court season and it seems improbable that she will be back at her comeptiitve best in time to play at the US Open in August.

Tennis legend Chris Evert has been a vocal supporter of Raducanu over the last year and she suggested the Brit can still return to the top of the game.

“Emma has had a rough route, but we knew that when she won the US Open and saw who she beat to get there, the pressure she was going to be under.,” said 18-time Grand Slam champion Evert at a Eurosport event.

“Also, she lives in England… sorry. It’s a small country and the press is tougher on players in a small country they are on top of them.

“The fact she is so beautiful and charismatic, all the (sponsorship) offers came in and you can’t say she shouldn’t have signed them. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

“So she became overwhelmed, probably lost a little perspective, maybe didn’t train as hard and felt the pressure and expectation. That is a hurricane of stuff thrown in her face.

“When I saw that picture of her in hospital with her wrist I thought; well you need time off.

“Maybe this is that time off to take a deep breath, to rethink your career, think about who you want to coach you, think about what areas of your game you want to work on. Just be a little more clear about your path.”

As she pondered whether Raducanu can get to in the WTA rankings when she returns to the game, Evert made a bold prediction.

“Do I think she can get to No 1 in the world? Probably not,” she added.

“Do I think she could be top ten in the world? Yes.

“Let’s give her time. She won a Grand Slam title. I’m not worried about Emma.”

Raducanu could lose her status as British No 1 in the coming weeks, with Jodie Burrage pushing hard to overhaul her in the rankings.

With Raducanu unlikely to play again until the latter part of 2023 at the earliest, it now seems inevitable that her reign at the top of the British rankings will come to an end sooner rather than later.

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Emma Raducanu