Emma Raducanu backed to ‘compete for the biggest and best titles’ by former world No 4
Tim Henman has assessed Emma Raducanu’s prospects for the 2025 season and highlighted the need for the Brit to increase the volume of tennis she plays.
The former world No 4 thinks Raducanu will climb the rankings and compete “for the biggest and best titles” if she does play more regularly.
Raducanu finished the 2024 season as the world No 57, having started the year ranked outside the top 300. She had ended her 2023 campaign in April to undergo surgeries on both wrists and her ankle.
The 22-year-old Brit amassed a 21-13 record across the 13 ranking tournaments and three Billie Jean King Cup matches she played this year.
The 2021 US Open winner’s standout 2024 result was her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, while she reached the semi-finals in Nottingham and the quarter-finals in Stuttgart, Eastbourne, Washington and Seoul.
Raducanu was hampered by injuries in the latter part of the season as she was forced to pull out of five WTA Tour events during the Asian swing — Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Henman stressed the importance of staying healthy for Raducanu in 2025.
“I think one of her challenges has been staying injury free, likewise with Jack [Draper], there were a few injuries in 2024,” the Brit said.
“I think for Raducanu, when you look at the volume of tennis that she played, when she was on the court she played very, very well and she finished at around 60 in the world.
“So, if she can increase that volume and she can play more of the bigger tournaments, I see absolutely no doubt in her ranking improving and in her competing for the biggest and best titles.”
The six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist also backed British No 1 and world No 24 Katie Boulter to break into the top 20 for the first time next year.
“Top 20 I think. She has had a fantastic year. She has built up that physical resilience to be able to compete more,” Henman added.
“She played a full schedule and had some great results. I still think she can play better and bring a little more consistency to her game. I think top 20 is the obvious target for her.”
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