Raducanu 'Could Win Wimbledon' Says 30-time Grand Slam Champion

Saturday, 23 November 2024 at 20:10

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byJordan Reynolds

Emma Raducanu has not come close to winning another Grand Slam since the 2021 US Open, but wheelchair legend Alfie Hewett believes she could win the Wimbledon title.

Over three years have passed since Raducanu shocked the tennis world by securing the US Open title as a qualifier. She did not drop a set during that historic run, ending by beating Leylah Fernandez in the final.

Expectations among many in the British media became unrealistically high after that triumph, with little consideration given to the fact that Raducanu was just 18 years old when she triumphed at Flushing Meadows and would inevitably have some challenging moments.

Raducanu has endured form and fitness struggles since. That included nine months out last year with an injury due to severe wrist and ankle problems that required surgeries. The Briton also admitted to making the issues worse by trying to return too soon.

She returned at the start of 2024 and showed some promising signs throughout the season, but did not reach the heights seen at the 2021 US Open before getting injured again at September's Korea Open.

Raducanu had to retire after 31 minutes against Daria Kasatkina and confirmed afterward she had sprained ligaments in her foot. That kept the 22-year-old out for nearly two months, meaning she missed the rest of the Asian swing.

Despite worries she would miss the rest of 2024, Raducanu got herself fit for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. After playing superbly in April's qualifiers against France, she produced more excellent tennis at the team event in Malaga.

Raducanu won all three of her singles matches against Germany, Canada, and Slovakia, but Team Great Britain still lost the semifinal against the Slovakians after failing to win either of the other two matches in the tie.

However, Raducanu's level at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals still demonstrated what she is capable of and offered encouragement to her fans who want to see the former US Open winner reach the top of the game.

30-time Grand Slam wheelchair champion Hewett has faith in Raducanu. Speaking to Tennis365, he feels a big year in 2025 could be on the horizon for her and also thinks winning Wimbledon is possible.

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"Emma has a real chance to have a big year. She has proven that when she is fit, healthy and strong and can get to the end of tournaments she is definitely up there with some of the best in the game."

"I think it’s possible that she could win Wimbledon one day. She had a great run there this year. She had got all the ingredients in her game and she’s done it before, so why not?"

Hewett also spoke about the media attention on Raducanu since winning the US Open, saying he can relate slightly but not to the same extent.

"You don’t really know how it feels to suddenly get publicity until you get there and it happens to you.I’ve had a bit of spotlight on me in recent years, but it’s minuscule to what she must have gone through and it can’t be easy."

"Success can change your future, but it also provides challenges when you win a big title like that. “It seems like she has come through a rollercoaster since that, but no one will ever take away from her that she won a Grand Slam."