"Emma Raducanu won the US Open, so why can’t you?" - Wilander on broadened field of contenders

| by Kadir Macar

Emma Raducanu is defending her title at the 2022 US Open as she faces a difficult task after 'opening a can of worms'.

The WTA draws at Grand Slam tournaments were always a bit more opened than those of their colleagues on the ATP Tour. However, when Emma Raducanu entered the 2021 US Open as a qualifier and won the tournament, she showed many players that you don't have to be one of the favourites to win a major. And that's something Mats Wilander focused on when he talked about how she changed the game.

"I think we have to be prepared that she can take another run," said Wilander to Eurosport. "For sure because when she plays well, she has a consistency in her game that is incredible and mentally she is there all the time, every point."

“I think defending a title is just something the press makes up” - says Emma Raducanu
“I think defending a title is just something the press makes up” - says Emma Raducanu

"The question, though, is, I think because she won it, there's so many women that either believe it themselves, or they are told by their teams and their coaches that ‘Hey, Emma Raducanu won the US Open, so why can’t you?’"

"So, I think that by her winning, she's opened up a can of worms where it used to be maybe five to 10 players that literally believed they could win it. Now you have got 50 players that think they can win it and that makes it much harder."

"The only thing that I'm a little concerned is that last year at the US Open, I thought we were watching someone who a) was moving better than most; b) was mentally stronger than most and c) nearly the most important - she was actually overpowering some of these women and I think that is the question mark,” said Wilander.

Roger Federer leads list of best paid tennis players in past twelve months, Raducanu debuts at no. 6
Roger Federer leads list of best paid tennis players in past twelve months, Raducanu debuts at no. 6

"I haven't seen her overpower any other women. She's won matches by fighting and by moving well and by being consistent, but I thought that during last year’s US Open she showed that she has that little extra in both sides, forehand and backhand, she has a little extra in the serve as well."

"Of course, she is complete but the question is, is she may be lacking that killer shot that Elena Rybakina has or Iga Swiatek has? Will that be the difference in the end? I believe Emma is going to make 15-20 quarter-finals in Grand Slams before she's done because of her consistency."

"But does she have the weapons on the day that the likes of Rybakina and Swiatek are playing great. How can Emma Raducanu then hurt them? We have to be so careful with Emma Raducanu. We have got to give her a few years to be on tour. She hasn't been on tour, she doesn't know what that means."

Emma Raducanu says she will be fine after tears during her practice at US Open
Emma Raducanu says she will be fine after tears during her practice at US Open

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