Emma Raducanu might have failed to return to the top of the sport in 2024, but there are still many positives to takeaway, according to former WTA player Laura Robson.
The 2021 US Open champion started the 2024 season full of expectations, wanting to find her best tennis again after missing the vast majority of the 2023 season. And for a while, she did.
Raducanu had moments when she shined on the tennis courts and then also some moments of questionable choices, which seem to be constantly present throughout her tennis career.
She carried Great Britain to an inspired win over France at the Billie Jean King Cup, but then she also shockingly chose to skip the Roland Garros.
However, that decision might have paid off, as she finally found some form, reaching the Nottingham Open semi-finals, the Eastbourne International quarter-finals, and the fourth round at Wimbledon.
She then followed up on that result with a quarter-final run at the WTA 500 event in Washington, but another controversial decision followed that.
Just when it seemed that Raducanu was back at it again, she chose to skip over the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, as she didn't want to play in the qualifying tournaments.
She returned at the US Open and, after lacking match practice, lost in the first round of the tournament. Still, the British player was able to return for the Asian swing, sharing her high expectations ahead of her first event.
Raducanu explained that because of her Chinese roots, she loves playing in Asia, especially in China, and it was evident at her first event, the Korea Open in Seoul, where she reached the quarter-final.
But that's when she was stopped by an injury, retiring just 31 minutes into her match against Daria Kasatkina. After that, she missed the remainder of the tournaments during the Asian swing, most recently withdrawing from the Hong Kong Open.
Still, Raducanu secured enough points to be currently ranked 57th in the world, just one place ahead of Naomi Osaka. She now doesn't have to rely on the wild cards so much, and in 2025, she can try to improve even further.
According to her compatriot and former player Laura Robson, who spoke to Sky Sports, there are many positives that Raducanu can take away from this season.
"It's still such a learning experience and the fact that she's still figuring out what works for her, figuring out where she wants to play, and how many tournaments. The game style has been a bit more aggressive over the last couple of months, which is great, but I think it's also a learning curve."
"When you look at her results when she has played well and consistently - she can beat almost anyone. She's a great player with such an attacking game style but you just need to be able to do that day in, day out."
According to Robson, Raducanu's ranking progression has been impressive, given that she still missed plenty of time but is on the verge of returning to the Top 50 of the rankings.
"When you think about the months that she's missed, to climb to the ranking she is now, it's actually impressive. In that respect, she's done really well. I think everyone, including her, would like to see it happen more often."
"It's all about figuring out what works for you and maybe she just got unlucky over the last few weeks because that would have been a run of four or five events in a row, which would have been great, but then you pick up one little injury or niggle and you have got to start again all the time."
"When you have the opportunity to play, she's now realised that that's the way forward and if you can play back-to-back weeks then go for it."
After her withdrawal from the Hong Kong Open, Raducanu's season is still not over, as she's hoping to recover in time for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to represent Great Britain.