“Emma Raducanu needs another year or two” Anke Huber backs the US Open champ to reach the World No. 1 rank
Emma Raducanu and Anke Huber
Stunning the world with one of the most underdog runs in sports, World No. 12 Emma Raducanu, then ranked 150th in the world and playing as a qualifier in the 2021 US Open, went on to win the Grand Slam tournament and ended Britain’s wait of 54 years for a woman champion at the US Open and 44 yeas for a women British champion.
With a celebrity status and a jump of 127 places in the WTA rankings, it was a great time for the teenager but life on the Tour was difficult and continues to be so in the 2022 season. Playing her first full season as a Pro, Emma’s luck has not been in her camp with consistent injuries issues at various events which have seen the World No. 12 fail to win consecutive matches this season.
Emma has been subjected to heavy criticism for the poor results with questions raised on her potential and her growing brand deals which many believe is the main reason why the Brit has not been performing. With many players, former and current, coming in her support over the sponsor issue, former World No. 4 and 1996 Australian Open runner-up Anke Huber believes all Emma needs is time and she will flourish on the Tour.
“In the next year and a half, four or five players will emerge who will hopefully work it out among themselves, play the finals against each other and thus ensure that we get real top matches again. At the moment everything is very close together, so it’s difficult to name one. For me, Emma Raducanu is someone who can play upfront in the future.
“She has everything to be a top-five player and maybe even make it to No 1. Emma needs another year or two to become consistent and really show what she can do,” said Huber in her recent interview with Eurosport Germany.
Emma Raducanu to make Clay debut next week
Yet to play in a Pro-level match on Claycourts as per the ITF, Emma Raducanu will step on the soil for the first time when she puts on the Great Britain jersey at the upcoming 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers. The Brits will take on the Czech Republic on the Clay courts in Prague which will also be Emma’s debut in the BJK Cup.
A win will take the young side of the Brits into the Finals played to be later this season. Post her outing with the national team, Emma will return to the Tour and will feature at the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart where Huber is the co-tournament director.
Sarthak Shitole
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