In the world of tennis, stability is the game changer and for Emma Raducanu, it's the much-needed key for unlocking her full potential.
Despite her 2021 US Open victory, injuries have significantly hampered Raducanu's momentum. Thomas Enqvist, an authoritative voice in the sport, opines that the young sensation needs a full, uninterrupted season on the WTA Tour.
A year devoid of setbacks would not only bolster her skill set but also her mental fortitude, a crucial aspect of the game often overlooked amidst the baseline rallies and ace serves.
Raducanu's rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. Yet, the glitter of such an unbelievable achievement can sometimes eclipse the challenges that young players face. One of the foremost is the fight for consistency, a challenge amplified by repeated injuries.
Currently, the Brit is sidelined after undergoing three surgeries, and she has even split with her former coach Sebastian Sachs in the meantime. Injuries and frequent changes in the coaching team are also some of the reasons why Enqvist believes that Raduncanu needs a full season on the WTA Tour.
"Emma is an unbelievable player who is super talented and has won a Grand Slam so we all know how good she can play and the potential she has. It's important for Emma to stay healthy because she's been very unfortunate with injuries and she needs to be able to stay as healthy as possible so she can play a full season and work on the things she needs to work on."
Enqvist’s analysis resonates with this fact, emphasizing the importance of stability for Raducanu's career progression. It's not just about the physical strain of rehab; the missed tournaments and truncated seasons can also wreak havoc on a player's development plan and mental wellbeing.
All players experience highs and lows, but the irregular pattern of play due to frequent injuries can make these peaks and valleys steeper and more unpredictable.
"I think stability is very important for any player because you have to make a solid developing plan and like all players, there will be ups and downs. It's typical even if you have an unbelievable tournament like she had winning the US Open, it shows the potential she has, but like any young player you can sometimes struggle with the consistency and you still have lots of things to improve on, but that's normal."
The tennis legend believes that Raducanu needs a full season on tour, a chance to string together matches, to build on her skills and establish a rhythm. He emphasizes that while the world has seen her potential, there's still much to improve, and doing so requires consistent play, something currently hindered by her unfortunate run-ins with injuries.
"I do believe it's difficult for her to do that when she has missed a lot of tournaments. She gets injured and then has to focus on her rehab. Hopefully she'll be back 100 per cent healthy soon and then it's important for her to stay healthy because she needs a full season on tour."
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