“Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit,” was the latest update from Emma Raducanu about her injury. The WTA star last appeared on court at the Korea Open and has been out since then. Injuries, being a major part of her career so far, has sparked several comments from renowned players. While concerns are lingering around her comeback, which is expected to be anytime soon, former American pro Pam Shriver stepped forward to drop another worrying verdict.
Emma Raducanu and Donna Vekic are just two of the many high-profile players dealing with the tough physical demands of professional tennis. Recently, former tennis champion Pam Shriver spoke about the impact of injuries on younger players like Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu, questioning whether they can withstand the ongoing grind.
“Physically Andreescu and Raducanu, the physical nature of tennis right now, it’s really hard…There’s been a lot of players that just physically can’t stand up to the demands. I was asking a year ago. I was thinking, Alcaraz mate. I was like, whoa. He seems to get injured every couple of months, but they’re figuring it out. I don’t know. I’m not sure that Raducanu and Andreescu have the body to be able to endure,” Shriver said, in an October 31 episode of the Tennis Channel Inside In Podcast, highlighting how difficult it has become for even talented pros to stay physically fit for the rigorous tennis schedule.
Raducanu’s latest setback was the reason behind Shriver’s concerns. The 21-year-old British player recently withdrew from the Hong Kong Open as she continues to recover from ligament damage in her foot. She was injured a month ago during her Korea Open quarter-final match against Daria Kasatkina. Raducanu had planned an intensive schedule in Asia but was forced to miss both the China Open and now the Hong Kong Open. Her spot in Hong Kong has been filled by American Sofia Kenin. Japan’s Naomi Osaka also withdrew with an abdominal injury, further illustrating the toll of today’s intense schedule.
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Raducanu now races to be fit for next month’s Billie Jean King Cup finals in Spain, that is set to begin on November 13. She had been selected for Great Britain’s team alongside Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Olivia Nicholls. The Briton holds fond memories of representing her country, having previously starred in Britain’s win over France during the Cup’s knockout rounds earlier this year.
On the other hand, Donna Vekic’s season continues to be challenged by physical challenges. She made a short appearance at the Wuhan Open but exited after a tough loss to Yulia Putintseva in R32. Both Raducanu and Vekic’s situations ignite the growing struggle among tennis players to stay healthy and competitive. However, this isn’t the only concern with Raducanu right now.
Can young tennis stars like Raducanu withstand the sport’s brutal physical demands?
Mark Petchey shares insight on Emma Raducanu’s “Stubborn” training style
Emma Raducanu’s former coach, Mark Petchey, recently opened up about the unique experience of working with the world No. 58. He described her as “stubborn” yet highly determined in her approach to training. Despite her young age, Raducanu has built a reputation for cycling through coaches at a fast pace. She wobbled through five different mentors within 18 months. However, she has taken a new approach in 2024 by choosing to stick with a single coach for the entire season. This shift could be crucial as she seeks consistency after her breakthrough victory at the 2021 US Open.
Petchey, who guided Raducanu before her historic Grand Slam win, reflected on her intense commitment to learning. He recalled that during their 10 months together, Raducanu was never hesitant to ask questions or challenge training ideas, describing her as “inquisitive” and eager to understand every aspect of the game. He praised her strong work ethic and noted that she often posed questions that not all coaches could “keep up” with, a trait she herself has acknowledged. While her approach might seem demanding to some, Petchey commended it as one of her strengths, showing her hunger to continuously grow and improve.
According to Petchey, Raducanu’s ability to consider different ideas and assess their relevance to her game is a rare quality among young players. “You need a certain self-reliance,” he explained, highlighting the importance of exploring various strategies even if they don’t all apply immediately. For a player who made history as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, Raducanu’s openness to learning could be the key to be back with a strong form once again.
