Laura Robson explains what Emma Raducanu has now realized about herself after another injury setback
It’s difficult not to feel sorry for Britain’s Emma Radcuanu.
After close to a year out after three surgeries on her wrists and ankle, the 21-year-old has been pegged back nearly every time she starts to pick up form.
Now, it’s worth saying that Raducanu’s decision to skip both Toronto and Cincinnati came as an utterly confusing one.
A player in need of match play who doesn’t fancy playing the qualifying rounds comes off as both arrogant, and also surely just a demonstration of poor management.
Nevertheless, a strong start to the Asian swing saw Raducanu put together a couple of solid displays and build her ranking, before a foot injury disrupted proceedings.
Laura Robson is still impressed with Emma Raducanu
Limping off with a foot injury at the Korea Open saw WTA star Daria Kasatkina send Raducanu a classy recovery message.
Initially, with Kasatkina’s will, Raducanu said she would be returning in Hong Kong alongside an exciting draw containing Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka.
However, Raducanu withdrew from the event – her fourth consecutive withdrawal – with her injury still nagging.
Former British number one Laura Robson however has said Raducanu has still performed well this year and has simply faced a heap of bad luck.
“When you think about the months that she’s missed, to climb to the ranking she is now, it’s actually impressive,” the Brit told Sky Sports. “In that respect, she’s done really well. I think everyone, including her, would like to see it happen more often.
“It’s all about figuring out what works for you and maybe she just got unlucky over the last few weeks because that would have been a run of four or five events in a row, which would have been great, but then you pick up one little injury or niggle and you have got to start again all the time.”
With Raducanu now likely rueing the skipped events over the summer, Robson explained what lessons the 21-year-old will now take into the future.
“When you have the opportunity to play, she’s now realised that that’s the way forward and if you can play back-to-back weeks then go for it.”
Emma Raducanu can make an impact at the Billie Jean King Cup
As Great Britain faced off against France in the qualifying rounds in April, Katie Boulter’s opening loss to Diane Parry looked to have cost the team any hope of advancing.
However in came Raducanu to neatly save the day. A tidy defeat to Parry as well as a shock upset over Caroline Garcia saw Great Britain advance to the finals for the first time since 2022.
While injury hampered, Raducanu’s ability to put on a show in her country’s colours is impressive.
With a short history of representing Great Britain on the tennis stage, Raducanu’s ability and experience in pressure positions often returns when she most needs it.
