Emma Raducanu’s critics ‘don’t understand the game’ claims respected tennis voice

Emma Raducanu has been forced to accept too much criticism since her 2021 US Open win, according to former WTA player and respected broadcaster Naomi Broady.
The inevitable hype that built up around Raducanu as she became the first player in tennis history to move through qualifying and win a Grand Slam title in New York propelled her to global superstardom.
Following up that success was always going to be tough and injuries have been a big part of her story over the last three years, as well as a constant flow of changing coaches.
Nick Cavaday opted to take a break from tennis due to health issues after the Australian Open, where she was beaten 6-1, 6-0 by world No 2 Iga Swiatek in a match that highlighted how far Raducanu needs to go to match the best in the women’s game.
Yet Sky Sports commentator Broady believes Raducanu can climb back to the top and compete for the biggest prizes in the game, even if her challenges are more prominent than her rivals.
Online trolls seem to take a curious delight in Raducanu’s failures and constantly suggest the young Brit will forever be a one-hit wonder, but Broady insists that argument is made by those outside of the tennis bubble.
“People who have that attitude and say Emma got lucky when we won the US Open don’t understand tennis,” Broady told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview. “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.
“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.”
Raducanu’s thumping defeat against Swiatek highlighted a chasm between the very best in the game and the chasing pack, but Broady is convinced Raducanu can get in the mix at the top of the sport if she can stay away from injuries.
“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,” added Broady, who reached a career-high of No 76 in her own career.
More Tennis News
Emma Raducanu’s former coach admits he ‘didn’t like her tennis’ as ‘biggest concern’ is revealed
Emma Raducanu’s next coach: 5 potential options for British star
“We know she had the level when she is fully fit and the belief that she can compete with the best will come back once she starts winning matches.
“She is putting a lot of hard work off the court and I just love her hire of 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.
“I feel it’s a similar story with Emma. She has the talent and she just needs her body to play ball and allow her to win the amount of matches she needs to in order to get back to the top of the rankings. I think it will come, but we just need to give it time.”
Raducanu has vowed to play more matches in 2025, with her eagerness to stay fit as big a factor in her future than any technical flaws she needs to improve in her game.
Sky Sports is the home to more live tennis than anywhere else. Watch year-round action including the ATP and WTA Tours and US Open exclusively on Sky Sports and NOW.
READ NEXT: ‘Emma Raducanu is 100% a top 10 player – but she has had