Emma Raducanu won't be in action until the 2024 US Open, which starts on August 26th, and it's a consequence of several events unfolding a certain way, with glimpses into her thinking provided by a third party.
The 2021 US Open champion is only days away from returning to New York, which is remembered as the place where she made tennis history. It was in New York that Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam when she did it back in 2021.
It's been three years since then, and the 21-year-old is now a full-fledged professional player; however, she has yet to find the tennis she procured three years ago in the Big Apple.
Returning to the US Open will always be a fascinating experience for her because everybody will be looking at her. Having done what she's done in the past makes her an exciting watch in New York because it's possible that she will do it again.
It's often said that something seems impossible until someone does it, and since she's won the US Open, she can clear to do it again. Winning the event would be a major feat for Raducanu, and while it's unlikely that she will do it, there is always a chance.
However, it's not a big chance because the Brit will enter the event with only a couple of preparation matches, which isn't ideal. She traveled to the United States for the Citi Open in Washington and won some good matches before losing to Paula Badosa.
It was expected that Raducanu would play in Toronto, but she didn't because her ranking didn't permit her to enter the qualifying. She had that chance at the Cincinnati Open but skipped it over in favor of returning to London, which surprised many of her fans.
This means that Raducanu won't compete until the US Open, making the few matches in Washington her only match preparation for the last Grand Slam of the season.
Some insight into her thinking was provided by Naomi Cavaday, who worked on the broadcast of the Canadian Open and happens to be the sister of Raducanu's coach, Nick Cavaday.
Naomi Cavaday explained why Raducanu opted to go back to London. Her thinking behind the decision was to avoid playing the qualifiers in Cincinnati.
"I think viewing it as extra matches, she got some wins in Washington, pretty happy with the level. Body [is] feeling it a touch, trying to keep that managed."
"I mean, I think if she’d have had a wildcard into the main draw, she would have considered playing. I’m sure she considered playing in qualifying as well."
In recent weeks, Raducanu has proven to be incredibly stubborn in her approach, with little concern about what others think. She does whatever she thinks is right, so this last move shouldn't surprise anybody.
Time will tell whether it will work out in her favor at the US Open, but even if not, it doesn't seem like she will be bothered too much by it. The stated goal this year was to keep playing and remaining healthy, and she has been able to do that so far.
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