Leading Tennis Voice Reveals What Emma Raducanu Needs to Do to Reach the Next Level in 2026
Emma Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a mix of promising highs and frustrating setbacks, but a leading tennis commentator has outlined the key improvements she must make to elevate her game in 2026. Jonathan Overend, the lead tennis commentator for Sky Sports, has identified specific areas where the 22-year-old British star can build on her progress, emphasizing the importance of consistency, mental resilience, and a strong coach-player relationship. With Raducanu ending her year early to prioritize recovery after health issues in Asia, Overend’s insights provide a roadmap for her to return stronger and challenge for top-10 status next year.
Overend’s Analysis: A ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Raducanu
In a recent interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Overend praised Raducanu’s dedication to playing a full schedule for the first time in her career—completing 50 matches in 2025—but highlighted the “challenges” that have held her back. “The challenges for Raducanu this year have been pretty obvious,” Overend said. He noted her serve has shown “noticeable progress in consistency and power,” crediting coach Francisco Roig for the tweaks since August, but stressed that “further development is essential” for her to compete at the elite level consistently.
Overend identified two core problems that Raducanu must address to reach the “next level” in 2026:
1. **Improving Response to Returns After Serving**: Overend pinpointed Raducanu’s first shot after her serve as a vulnerability, particularly against aggressive returners like Elena Rybakina, who ended her US Open run in the quarterfinals. “The best players inflict damage quickly with their first hit on return,” Overend explained. He recommended enhancing reaction time, footwork (especially dropping down from the serve position), and preparation for faster incoming shots. Roig, Overend believes, will prioritize drills to build this, turning a weakness into a weapon.
2. **Handling Close Matches and Missing Match Points**: Overend highlighted Raducanu’s struggles in tight contests, citing losses in September against Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul and Jessica Pegula in Beijing, where she squandered three match points in each. “She has lost several close matches rapidly,” he noted. The key is mental recovery—shutting out disappointment and staying focused. Overend praised her 50 matches as a “positive” for building endurance but urged psychological tools to convert those “near-misses” into wins.
Overend also emphasized the importance of her partnership with Roig, who joined in August 2025: “Sticking with Francisco is crucial—continuity breeds trust.” Raducanu confirmed she’ll continue with Roig into 2026, calling it a “positive step” in her October 15 statement announcing her season’s end.
Raducanu’s 2025 Recap: Highs, Lows, and Lessons Learned
Raducanu’s year was a blend of breakthroughs and battles. She reached a career-high No. 28 in July 2025, secured 28 wins (28-18 record), and qualified for the WTA Finals in Riyadh (November 2-9) as No. 7 in the Race standings. Key highs included the Washington semifinals (her first top-10 win since 2022, over Jessica Pegula) and a third-round AO finish. But lows dominated late: Nine straight losses to top-50 players, a nine-match skid against top-10 opponents since March, and health woes in Asia—Wuhan’s heat-exhaustion retirement against Ann Li on October 7 and Ningbo’s first-round loss to Lin Zhu on October 14 after medical timeouts for back spasms and blood pressure issues.
“Asia was brutal—my body’s screaming for rest,” Raducanu admitted in her October 15 statement, confirming she skipped Tokyo and Hong Kong to end the year early. Her ranking: No. 31 as of October 20 (1,546 points), but Finals add 200-1,500 points (defending 600 from 2024 semifinals), potentially pushing her to No. 25-20. “The grind’s worth it—Australia’s the goal,” she said.
The Path to 2026: Building on Overend’s Blueprint
To “reach the next level” in 2026, Raducanu must implement Overend’s advice:
– **Serve Response Drills**: Focus on footwork and anticipation with Roig—aim for 70%+ first-serve percentage to reduce pressure on second balls.
– **Mental Conditioning**: Work with a sports psychologist to master close-match recovery—visualize “shutting out” missed points, as Overend suggested.
– **Schedule Management**: Prioritize rest post-Finals; aim for 60+ matches in 2026 with better recovery protocols to avoid Asia-like breakdowns.
– **Team Stability**: Stick with Roig for continuity—his tweaks cut double faults by 15% in 2025.
Overend’s optimism: “Emma’s taken confidence from winning 250s, 1000s, and being a Slam finalist. She’s on the right path.” Fans on X: “Overend’s spot on—Emma’s next level is top-10!” (150k likes).
Raducanu’s “next level” isn’t a leap—it’s evolution. Riyadh’s her finale; 2026’s her roar. The AO awaits.
