Emma Raducanu’s key strengths cannot overcome her most pressing issue

Oli Dickson Jefford 25 Jun 2025 6:15 PM

Emma Raducanu looks on during a match.

Make no bones about it, Emma Raducanu knows how to fight.

Down 5-2, double break in the third and final set of her Eastbourne Open round-two clash versus Maya Joint, the Brit looked to be slumping out of the tournament.

But, while she ultimately went down, she went down swinging, pushing her younger rival to the brink in a pulsating end to this tense and often unpredictable clash.

Raducanu broke Joint twice as the 19-year-old Australian, vastly inexperienced on grass, tried to close out the match – and the same scenario repeated itself when Raducanu broke again at 5-5.

The 2021 US Open champion could not quite pull off what could have been one of her greatest comebacks, but the end of the match did highlight one of her biggest qualities.

She rarely makes herself easy to beat, and she certainly highlighted her growing experience, pressing a less-experienced opponent into making big mistakes at key moments.

However, while her strengths were on display, so were her two key weaknesses.

Raducanu is undoubtedly a skilled grass-courter, but Joint’s weight of shot, particularly her huge and heavy forehand, proved a nightmare to handle at times.

But, while her struggles against big hitters remain one issue, the most pressing concern remains her fitness.

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There were no medical timeouts in this match, but watching courtside at Eastbourne, it was obvious that the Brit was moving uncomfortably at points.

Raducanu has been dealing with an ongoing back spasm for several weeks, the latest in the line of physical issues that have afflicted her since her stunning breakthrough four summers ago.

“I think I’ve just been managing it, like I’ve said,” commented Raducanu, in her post-match press conference.

“I mean, normal fatigue, after playing a long match, but, yeah, hopefully I can recover.

“I still have a few days before Wimbledon, so, yeah, I’m looking forward to kind of recovering and hopefully it’s all good.

“I wouldn’t say it’s like I can’t move. I just say like a lot of athletes, we all carry kind of something that we’re managing and playing through.

“But I’d just say that it’s okay, I can play, and I can still put out some pretty decent tennis in the situation.”

World No 39 Raducanu now has less than one week until her opening match at Wimbledon, where she will be among the star attractions for fans at the All England Club.

The Brit reached the fourth round of the tournament in 2024, just months after skipping the 2023 Championships due to a multitude of injury concerns.

It would be easy to cast doubt on Raducanu’s physical state heading into the tournament, considering her chequered history in recent years.

But it seems Wimbledon fans need not fear a potential withdrawal, with Raducanu perhaps more determined than ever to battle against the best at SW19.

She added: “I am going to rest tomorrow, just take it day by day, get some practice in.

“I think it could be a blessing in disguise, you know, having some rest right now. I think I’m looking forward to heading back and then getting on the grass at Wimbledon.

“I think I will likely step on the court regardless.”