Emma Raducanu set for new ranking hit as final title slips away

Tennis365 10 Jun 2023 11:20 AM

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu’s fall from grace will take another hit on Monday when she loses one of her last big titles.

Raducanu is currently out of action after undergoing surgery on both wrists and her ankle in a bid to end her long fitness battle.

The youngster has struggled to spend extended time on the practice court since her remarkable US Open win in 2021, when she was catapulted into the sporting limelight around the world.

Now her days as British No 1 are coming to an end, with Katie Boulter set to replace her at the top of her national rankings on Monday.

This will be the first time Boulter has been British No 1, with her run to the latter stages of the ITF World Tennis Tour W100 event at Surbiton confirming she will overtake Raducanu in the WTA rankings.

Katie Swan could also take the top spot if she wins the Surbiton Trophy, but Boulter looks primed to claim the No 1 spot.

The British No 1 has a large flag celebrating their achievement outside the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in London.

Now that will feature a new player, with tennis legend John McEnroe among those questioning if or when Raducanu will return to the court.

Responding to a question from Tennis365 at a Eurosport event, McEnroe said: “Whenever you have two or three surgeries you have to be concerned

“She has had a tough time, you know. A lot happened after she won the US Open and the big issue is changing so many coaches and these injuries.

“I think it’s been clear throughout that she’s been searching for stability and for comfort. That she can feel she is on the right track. The only part I didn’t understand was in the beginning.

“Why she would part ways with her coach, I think it was Andrew Richardson. But why would you change a winning formula when you did something so unexpected? I don’t know the answer to that.

“I’m sure there were reasons but out of superstition alone you wouldn’t change something, so I was surprised.

“I hope she comes back, but it might not be until next year, I don’t know. She is kind of starting from scratch, but it would be great for women’s tennis if she does come back. We are all pulling for her.”

Former British No 1 Andrew Castle spoke to Tennis365 about Raducanu, as he suggested the hype around her does not help her focus on court.

“It seems like everyone has an attitude towards her one way or the other,” Castle told Tennis365 at a Game4Padel event.

“When you are out on the tour, especially when you have become massively famous very quickly and your life has changed overnight, it’s not easy.

“If people look back over the last year or two in their lives and reflect on what has happened, it is probably quite a lot.

“For Emma, that is multiplied a million times over. She went front unknown to Grand Slam champion and all the madness that goes with it.

“She would have asked are my friends? How am I interacting with them and are they interacting with me because I’m famous?

“Relationships with family members, her new status in the world, a dramatically changed financial situation.

“She could get to the point where she says I will travel without an entourage. No coach, no nutritionist and just try and enjoy the experience of playing in these big events.

“We have seen what Emma Raducanu can produce when she is relaxed and playing with freedom. Hopefully we get to see that again.”