The 19-year-old Briton has struggled since shocking the world at last year’s US Open. Without a full-time coach to deal with injuries and navigate the tour, his lead at Wimbledon has been less than ideal. But his faith in his ‘crazy’ decision making is unshakeable
The 19-year-old Briton has struggled since shocking the world at last year’s US Open. Without a full-time coach to deal with injuries and navigate the tour, his lead at Wimbledon has been less than ideal. But his faith in his ‘crazy’ decision making is unshakeable
Emma Radukanu has packed a career more than many tennis players in one year.
The teenager, fresh after completing her end-of-school exams, made her senior debut 12 months ago in the first round of last year’s Nottingham Open, where she was beaten in straight sets by fellow Briton Harriet Dart.
After catching the eye during a race in the fourth round at Wimbledon – her first appearance in a Major ended after breathing difficulties and she was forced to retire – she went on to become a global champion by winning the US Open as a qualifier. Became a star, 100-1 Long-Shot, in Sept.
amazing victory
That surprise win—she was Britain’s first female Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade (1977) and the youngest woman (18) to lift Major silverware since Maria Sharapova (2004)—opened all kinds of doors. He was asked to send a message to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and was invited to the much sought-after Met Gala in New York.
But Radukanu also endured a bout of Covid, battling fitness issues, changing coaches three times before deciding to go it alone – a move that raised eyebrows and sparked thought – and loads of expectations. Dealt with the one who sits on the shoulders of a 19. The year old whose every move is scrutinized.
“Coming back 12 months later, the whole affair, knowing what happened, it’s very real,” he said ahead of this year’s Nottingham Open. “This is where it started for me and I am proud of what I have achieved in the last 12 months. It marks the beginning of a journey for me.”
Unfortunately for Radukanu, his already packed year turned out to be hectic—and not pleasantly busy. A “freak” side strain ruled him out of his opening match and Birmingham event, jeopardizing his participation at Wimbledon, which ran from 27 June to 10 July.
This left him with a worrying period of rehab to return to the grass-court swing; The idea of raising the title challenge at his home Grand Slam will just have to wait.
While a scan appeared to allay Radukanu’s fears of missing Wimbledon altogether, it didn’t quell the murmurs over his worrying injury record.
fitness issues
He has faced a variety of fitness problems in his early season: hip and back complaints as well as blisters during the past few months. He has had to retire from matches three times since running his story from qualifying round to US Open glory.
Injuries are especially frustrating for a player with the potential to win multiple majors. Not only do they directly affect his results – they have played a role in him not winning more than two matches in a tournament since his victory in New York – but they also hinder his development.
The more time she spends recovering, the less time she has on the training courts to add to her game. And if she’s fighting to regain basic fitness, it’s much harder to make significant strides in the gym and improve her physical floor, as she did after Wimbledon last year with a grueling weight-training program that The US Open was paid off.
“It’s just a shame. I’m obviously disappointed and it’s really unfortunate,” Radukanu said of his latest injury. “It’s out of my control, but right now I can only focus on it I know what I’m doing and I think I’m doing a great job. I just need to believe that it will be good.”
Tennis coach and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy’s mother Judy Murray believes Radukanu needs time to mature physically and hire experts to help him.
“What is becoming increasingly clear is that Radukanu’s body needs time to mature,” Judy wrote in a column. Wire, “If you take away the fact that he was included in this amazing success after the US Open win, he is no different from any other young player in the sense that he has the ability to heal, become stronger and more resilient. Need time.
“It’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight, especially when the physiological demands of her body are highest,” Judy said. ,
Judy urges Radukanu to use more female expertise in her health care, highlighting the example of Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen, who opened up about menstrual cramps at the French Open.
“How many of today’s top female players, I wonder, are using their chakra peaks and troughs and tailoring it to their training and performance?” Judy wrote. “How many people can feel more empowered by investing in a women’s health physio or specialist and making their crew a little more women-centric?
“…the menstrual cycle and its effect on athletic performance is an area of sports science that has been badly neglected and only now are we beginning to understand its impact on an athlete both psychologically and physically.”
It will be interesting to see if Judy’s suggestion resonates with Radukanu, whose approach to building a team of coaching and support staff is anything but traditional.
switching coach
Radukanu replaced former British Davis cupper Andrew Richardson with Nigel Sears, who once coached Ana Ivanovic, after last year’s Wimbledon. Richardson’s contract was not renewed after the US Open victory, which surprised many. German coach Torben Beltz was hired in November and fired in April, and has been without a full-time coach ever since.
However, she has done a lot of technical work with Lawn Tennis Association senior performance consultant Louis Kayer, who is reportedly well-regarded by the Radukanu camp.
While some experts have been critical of the continuous churning of the coaching staff, those close to her say that Radukanu knows what she wants and craves new ideas and insights when she feels she has lost her life under a coach. Hit the ceiling.
“It’s definitely a journey [where] I’m learning along the way but it works for me as a person,” she told WSJ magazine. “It may not work for someone else and people may look at me like crazy, but I don’t care about myself. Trust my own beliefs in making decisions and doing what feels right to me.
“I know that even though I am quite young, I have a lot of banking experience. And at the end of the day you are out on your own.”
This streak of independent, original thinking is reflected in some of her other interests, including economics, ballet, go-karting, horseback riding, tap dancing, skiing, basketball, and motorbikes.
But his unorthodox approach, early success and fitness issues have some people wondering whether his undoubted natural talent will ever realize his full potential.
Gauff’s healthy environment
Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, felt that Roland-Garros runner-up Coco Gauff was on a better path than Radukanu. ,[Gauff does] Everything in moderation… it’s a healthy kind of environment,” Evert said. “I mean Radukanu had an incredible US Open but I think she’s struggled since then and I think if If she wins another it will take some time but I think Coco is the best in that youth group and she is doing everything the right way.”
But given Radukanu’s ability to surprise experts and his killer instincts on the court, the current uncertainty may only be temporary.
“I’m still 19 and I’ve already won a Grand Slam, so I can take my time and fix things because I know my motivation isn’t low,” Radukanu said.
“I don’t think anyone would say, ‘I wish I couldn’t win a Grand Slam at 18’ because that’s what I set out to do – and I did it. It comes with a lot of challenges but the adversities I’ve faced. Faced with them, managing them, learning and moving forward – I would rather have a lot more.”