It’s the next low point after a meteoric rise. Emma Raducanu is no longer listed in the top 200 of the WTA rankings for the first time in two years, but she is fighting and working on her comeback. She still has her “ultimate dream” firmly in mind.
She was considered the tennis superstar of the future. But as quickly as things went uphill for Emma Raducanu, they went downhill again. Since her spectacular US Open victory in 2021 at the tender age of 18, she has fallen from one valley to the next, with injuries repeatedly throwing a spanner in the works for the now 20-year-old.
Now the British player has reached the next low point, but she is full of fight. “I’ll be back next season,” the British player, who for the first time since her meteoric rise two years ago is no longer listed in the WTA’s top 200 rankings, stressed in an interview with the BBC.
She sees the fact that people continue to talk about her even though she is not currently competing in any events due to her injury lay-off as a “compliment”. Someone had told her, “‘Worry if you’re not being talked about’,” Raducanu argued.
Tennis: Negative series was noticeable to Raducanu
The last time she was listed outside the top 200, in the spring of 2021, she had stormed into the last 16 of Wimbledon, then sensationally secured the US Open title shortly after. Suddenly, the then 18-year-old Raducanu was the shooting star of the scene, climbing into the top 10 of the world rankings. But then came the crash.
Subsequently, Raducanu made the headlines for the most part due to first-round defeats, a change of coach – and above all due to injuries. The fact that this did not leave her cold was revealed at a memorable press conference in Madrid, when Raducanu, who was usually friendly and pleasant, appeared unusually unfriendly and short-tempered.
Tennis: Raducanu has her “ultimate dream” firmly in sight
In early May, she finally pulled the emergency brake and underwent several operations on her ankles and wrists. Since August, the Brit has been working on her comeback on the court. She still has her “ultimate dream” firmly in mind, because one day she would like to triumph at Wimbledon in her home country.
Raducanu still has enough time for that, but first she has to work on her comeback. It is uncertain when that will happen. However, a return this year is considered unlikely.