“Don’t ask if Raducanu is going to be a good player because she is already a great player” - says McEnroe
WTA
Emma Raducanu is going through a difficult season, but John McEnroe has no doubts about the qualities of the British sensation.
On Monday, Raducanu reached her new career-high in the WTA Rankings, and for the first time in her career, she entered the Top 10. That is despite the fact that she lost 12 matches this season and won only 9.
However, despite her recent struggles, John McEnroe believes that a player doesn't win a Grand Slam tournament without certain qualities. The former American great talked to Tennis365, and he admitted that despite never having a chance to talk to Raducanu, he likes how she plays tennis.
"I'm not close to her. In fact. As a matter of fact, I’ve never spoken to her. I hope to have the opportunity soon because she is obviously a breath of fresh air. She is a very sweet girl, a beautiful girl and plays great tennis. What’s not to like."
"It has been hard to watch her struggling, but I don’t know if she needs time. She needs the right stability and people around her and I don’t know what’s going on there."
As a former professional, McEnroe knows how harsh criticism can be. Because of that, he didn't even want to hear a question about whether Raducanu would be good. According to him, she is already good, as she proved at the 2021 US Open.
"Don’t ask if Raducanu is going to be a good player because she is already is a great player. No one wins a major if they are not a great player and hopefully she has belief, but a lot has changed for her since then."
"You don’t go through a tournament where you don’t lose a single set and beat some of the top female players and not be a great player."
