Emma Raducanu has already shown her potential as a top 10 player since returning to professional tennis, former British player Naomi Broady believes.
Raducanu returned to action for the first time in eight months with a solid first-round win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse at the ASB Classic in Auckland. However, the 21-year-old was eliminated in the second round by WTA world number 25, Elina Svitolina.
Getting into the second round of a competitive tournament on her return might be seen as a positive at this stage for Raducanu, who spent the latter stages of 2023 recovering from wrist and ankle surgeries.
When reflecting on the former US Open champion's performances, compatriot Broady told Sky Sports that she saw glimpses of elite quality from Raducanu in her match against Svitolina.
“Loads of positives to take. Both of them played above their rankings."
“For Raducanu, it was the second match she’s played in eight months, first tournament back and her first match was tough as well. I think it was maybe just a step too far physically but both of them were playing top 10 level today.”
The Australian Open will be on the horizon for Raducanu, providing she avoids any injury setbacks. There were concerns for the 21-year-old during the Svitolina defeat as she was seen with heavy strapping on her leg.
But Broady believes there is no point looking too much into injuries or the loss at the ASB Classic yet. The 33-year-old explained that Raducanu's aims are simply to regain fitness and form currently, which is why she perhaps lost 6-1 in the final set to Svitolina.
"I know her personal goals are to just stay fit and healthy at the moment. She was holding her back towards the end of the match and she had a lot of tape on her thigh today and she didn’t have that in her first round match,”
“[She had] two gruelling matches, so for her it’s gonna be about staying fit and healthy and then maybe after this Australian swing, looking to start going deeper back in the tournaments again.”
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