Jessica Pegula Praises Emma Raducanu’s Potential After Miami Victory
Jessica Pegula has voiced her belief that Emma Raducanu “belongs at the top”, as she analyzed the Brit’s inconsistent journey since her 2021 US Open triumph.
Raducanu secured an impressive 7-6(8), 2-6, 7-6(3) win over Emma Navarro, marking her third career victory over a top 10 opponent.
World No. 4 Pegula, who also won on the same day, shared her perspective on Raducanu’s struggles with form and injuries.
“When she’s playing at a top level, she belongs with the top players,” Pegula said. “I just think she struggled a little bit with injuries and finding consistency.
“It’s tough nowadays—the depth in the women’s game is so strong. If you can’t string together matches and get those wins under your belt, it can be really difficult to keep your confidence.
“I can understand why she was probably a little emotional. Winning two matches at a WTA 1000 event and beating a top 10 player—that’s massive. Sometimes, it takes a physical and mental battle to get through those moments.
Raducanu’s 2024 season had its challenges, including a four-match losing streak in February—her worst run as a professional. Off-court struggles also played a role, as she dealt with the distressing presence of a “highly fixated” man at one of her matches.
Raducanu Reflects on Hard-Fought Win
After sealing match point, the former US Open champion became visibly emotional. Speaking to Sky Sports, she opened up about her mental and physical battle.
“I managed to find a third wind,” she said. “I was absolutely exhausted in the second set and thought my legs were going to stop.
“I just kept fighting for every point like it was my last. That’s proof of what you can do when you put your mind to it.
“In the third set, I used a lot of emotion. I’ve been through a lot, and I didn’t want to leave it there.”
When asked where this victory ranked among her career highlights, Raducanu didn’t hesitate.
“I’d say it’s No. 1,” she admitted. “I hadn’t beaten a top 10 player this year, so that was my first. She made me work so hard for every point—I had to fight and scrap for everything.”
Looking Ahead
After an emotionally charged few months, Raducanu emphasized her desire for stability in her career.
“I don’t think it’s been an easy couple of months. I’ve had a lot going on, on and off the court,” she explained.
“My goal is to reach a place where I feel more settled with my surroundings. This week, I’ve had amazing people around me who have known me for a long time. That gives me a sense of security and motivation to fight.”
Raducanu will now face McCartney Kessler in the third round of the Miami Open WTA 1000 event as she looks to continue her resurgence.
