The physical toll of the WTA Tour might prevent Emma Raducanu from regaining her best form.
Pam Shriver believes that Raducanu’s injuries could ultimately deny her a return to the top.
She would add that the former British No 1 will always be able to call on the experience of winning a Grand Slam.
Raducanu enters Indian Wells as a wildcard and Shriver is intrigued by what she will bring to the WTA 1000 event.
“I find this era of tennis so demanding on the joints,” Shriver said.
“I want to see how she stands up to the test of time.
“There is history that shows some players never fully regain their form, but all indications are Raducanu is fully motivated to become a successful player again.
“Even though we’re going on more than two years since winning the US Open, that run should give her confidence she can compete with the best players in the world when healthy.”
Indian Wells will also be important for a player desperate for a big win.
Jessica Pegula has changed up her coaching team and Shriver believes this could help her break through in the Grand Slams.
“In the past couple of years, Pegula has played steadily everywhere she goes,” Shriver said.
“She’s in transition right now. I saw part of her new coaching team in San Diego, and it looks like this is a dynamic that will work to help Pegula not only have more wins at WTA 1000 events but have more success at the majors. For as solid as Pegula has been, a change could propel her to greater heights.”
Shriver was intrigued to see how rising Chinese star Qinwen Zheng goes at Indian Wells.
Her run to the Australian Open was incredible but Shriver questioned whether it has exposed some flaws in her game.
She feels that the reunion with coach Pere Riba was great news for Zheng and the results were clear in Melbourne.
“You could see her coming for a while now,” Shriver said.
“Her working relationship with Pere Riba is a good matchup. I was glad they got back together.
“The hitch in her serve is a bit of a concern, but she’s 21 years old. I thought she handled the pressure down in Melbourne really well.”
Shriver backed defending champion Elena Rybakina as the favourite for the Indian Wells crown.
“Her serve is one of the best shots currently in women’s tennis — I love watching it,” Shriver said.
“She lost that [second-round Australian Open] match to Anna Blinkova, one of the more memorable [22-20 in the third] tiebreaks you’ll ever see. She’s a threat to win every tournament she plays.”
