Emma Raducanu’s recent performance at the Citi DC Open has sparked discussion about a potential mistake in her scheduling approach, with former British player Barry Cowan drawing comparisons to Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams to highlight the issue. After reaching the semifinals in Washington, D.C., losing 4-6, 3-6 to Anna Kalinskaya on July 26, 2025, Raducanu’s 21-15 record this year reflects a promising resurgence. However, Cowan suggests her inconsistency stems from irregular match play, a pattern he traced back to last year’s Washington campaign. He noted that after a strong quarter-final run, her subsequent break until the US Open disrupted her momentum, stating, “You can’t expect to play one great week and then not play for three or four weeks and then pick it up.” He contrasted this with Djokovic and Williams, who, at their peak ages (30 and 35 respectively), managed prolonged absences due to their established physical and mental resilience, a luxury Raducanu, at 22, doesn’t yet possess.
Cowan’s analysis points to Raducanu’s limited early-season activity—six losses in her first nine matches—before her Miami Open quarter-final turnaround as evidence of this flaw. He argues she needs consistent matches to bridge the gap to the elite, unlike the veteran champions who could rely on experience to compensate for gaps. Raducanu’s doubles retirement with Elena Rybakina, citing exhaustion from the 36-degree Celsius heat, further underscores the physical toll of her packed schedule. As she prepares for the National Bank Open in Montreal, starting today, July 27, facing world No. 56 Elena Gabriela Ruse, this “mistake” of inconsistent play could be a critical factor in her US Open title defense, where Djokovic and Williams’ adaptability might offer a lesson she’s still learning.
