Emma Raducanu is currently enduring the lowest point of her tennis career.
The British No.1 burst onto the scene in 2021 after sensationally winning the US Open as a qualifier and even broke into the world top 10 last year.
But the 20-year-old has failed to land any silverware since her Grand Slam triumph and will now drop outside the world top 100 on Monday in a brutal blow.
Many are wondering how it got so bad for Raducanu and what she can do to return to the top of her game.
One of the biggest reasons for Raducanu’s dramatic downfall has been her continuous struggles with injury, even after teaming up with Andy Murray’s former trainer Jez Green.
Raducanu is likely to miss the French Open – which starts at the end of May – and may require surgery over the wrist problem which has plagued her since last year.
Speaking earlier this month, former British tennis star Laura Robson urged Raducanu to ‘not worry about some small injuries’ because ‘it’s just part of being a tennis player’.
‘It’s just about finding the right balance on training, on the match court and tournament schedule to make it work for the body, because everyone is different, everyone requires different amount of matches as well,’ Robson told Eurosport.
‘I think if she’s just able to get another couple of consistent weeks under her belt, then the belief will come and you start to trust your body a bit more and you start to then not worry about some small injuries because it’s just part of being a tennis player.
‘I can’t think of anyone on tour who ever feels 100 per cent healthy all the time, so Emma’s just seeming to find that balance at the moment.’
But injuries alone are not the sole reason. Former British No.1 Greg Rusedski has raised concerns over Raducanu failing to keep a ‘consistent team’ around her since her triumph at Flushing Meadows amid various changes to her set-up.
Raducanu is currently being coached by Sebastian Sachs having parted ways with previous coaches Dmitry Tursunov, Torben Beltz, Jeremy Bates and Andrew Richardson.
Rusedski also thinks Raducanu is burdened by her early success, was not prepared for ‘global stardom’ and has stopped enjoying the sport altogether.
‘Yes, there has not been a consistent team around her since her victory, which is unfortunate, but she was not prepared for global superstardom after winning the US Open.
‘She has felt too much expectation ever since and pressure. The freedom and joy have unfortunately disappeared. I really hope she can find the love of the game she once had and enjoy her tennis.
‘It’s so funny, people will still be haters, you know what I mean? And I think she will do just fine. I think she may be just, kind of like me. I did well, kind of right away and then I had to do the steps I missed and she probably just has to go through that a bit.
‘I think she’ll be totally fine but it’s a tough world out there. So when you have success you just got to be ready for people to kind of claw you a little bit.’
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