Leylah Fernandez backed fellow 2021 US Open finalist Emma Raducanu to return to her top level as the Brit struggles on the WTA Tour.
Fernandez won trophies since the US Open run, but it's not what people really expected from her. She was supposed to solidify herself as one of the better players on Tour, but it didn't happen due to injuries and other factors.
She recently won a trophy in Hong Kong, so perhaps that's a part of something new that she hopes for Emma Raducanu as well. The Brit should return at the Australian Open next year after missing much of this year with several injuries.
When she did play, she looked really solid, but she simply hasn't been healthy enough to compete regularly, and that's the hope. There are some parallels between them which is why Fernandez is bullish on Raducanu's future after seeing her own battle.
Well, 2021 was a special tournament for both of us, we both did extraordinary things not many people get to experience. I was able to beat a couple of top-10 players, ex-champions. Emma, she came through the qualifying, so we both had to go through some difficulties, and afterwards, I think it was hard on both of us adjusting to the new life. But at least for me, I tried to surround myself with a great group of people.
The Canadian praised Raducanu, calling her hungry, and according to Perez, she will come back as she has a lot to prove to people.
I know Emma is working hard, I know she is hungry, she has something to prove, so I’m sure she’s going to come back and play some great tennis. Hopefully, we do see her because she is great for the sport. She has got something special for the WTA and for women’s tennis. Hopefully, we can both compete at the highest level once again side by side.
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