Amidst the intense atmosphere of a practice session at the US Open, Emma Raducanu found herself at the center of a growing conversation about her recent decisions regarding tournament participation. Raducanu, who rose to global prominence with her astonishing victory at the 2021 US Open, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months, particularly around her choice to bypass certain lower-tier events in favor of competing at major tournaments. The British tennis star’s choices, especially with regard to her schedule and tournament participation, have raised concerns among some players and analysts who feel that she may be underestimating the demands of balancing expectations with recovery.
The latest comments came from former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tamira Paszek, who shared her perspective on Raducanu’s decision-making process. In an exclusive interview with *Tennis365* at a recent ITF event in Shrewsbury, Paszek expressed concern that should Raducanu choose to play in smaller, lower-ranked events, she could become a target for other players, many of whom would see it as an opportunity to capitalize on the situation. Paszek, who has experienced her own rise to success and faced her fair share of struggles on the WTA circuit, weighed in on the difficulties of being a top-ranked player forced to navigate the competitive pressures of stepping down to lower-tier tournaments.
“It’s easy for outside voices to suggest that Emma should play in lower-tier tournaments to earn points, but the reality is much more complicated,” Paszek remarked. “She would be under intense scrutiny if she played smaller events, especially given the level of success she’s already had. After tasting Grand Slam glory, any performance in a lower-tier event would likely be met with high expectations. People tend to forget that success comes with its own set of challenges.”
Paszek, who knows firsthand the pressures of navigating a career following a major breakthrough, emphasized that players like Raducanu—who skyrocketed to stardom after her historic US Open win in 2021—often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of heightened expectations, both on and off the court. The challenges of adjusting to a new level of visibility, combined with the demands of managing a rapidly evolving career, are not to be underestimated.
### Raducanu Reflects on Her Mismanaged Schedule
Raducanu, who was widely celebrated for her incredible US Open title in 2021, has since faced a series of setbacks, including injuries and inconsistent performances on the WTA Tour. In the wake of her early exit from the 2024 US Open, Raducanu reflected on her recent tournament choices, acknowledging that her schedule had not been ideal. After a promising fourth-round performance at Wimbledon in 2023, Raducanu has faced some difficult losses in the subsequent months.
“I think I would have preferred to compete a bit more before arriving at the US Open,” Raducanu admitted after her 2024 Grand Slam exit. “When I play more frequently, it feels seamless, and everything clicks into place. I’ve certainly learned from this experience and plan to manage my future schedule differently.”
It’s clear that Raducanu has faced challenges in adjusting to the rigorous demands of being a top-tier professional athlete. With a delicate balance between peak performance, physical health, and mental fortitude, Raducanu has made it clear that she needs to reassess her approach to competing in 2025 and beyond.
Raducanu went on to explain that the decision-making process regarding her tournament schedule is not solely hers to make. Instead, she emphasized that her choices are made in collaboration with her team. However, recent reports in the British media have raised questions about the influence of her sponsors on her absence from qualifying events, especially those that do not offer the same visibility or prize money as the major tournaments. It has been speculated that the sponsorship deals that Raducanu has secured—worth millions—may be contributing to her reluctance to compete in lower-tier events. The fear of damaging her commercial appeal or risking negative publicity by playing in smaller, less prestigious competitions may be playing a role in her decision-making process.
### Pressure of Public Scrutiny and Financial Considerations
While Raducanu has always maintained a composed public image, her rapid rise to fame has undeniably placed her under a spotlight that few players experience. For someone who won a Grand Slam title with no previous experience at major tournaments, the public’s expectations were sky-high from the very beginning. Every tournament loss, injury setback, and strategic decision is now heavily scrutinized by the media, sponsors, and fans alike. In such an environment, the pressure to maintain her brand image is significant, and this, combined with her physical struggles and fluctuating performances, has undoubtedly complicated her career trajectory.
“I think there is a lot of pressure when you’ve tasted such a big success at a young age,” Paszek commented. “The expectations from outside and inside your team become enormous. Sometimes it’s not even just about tennis anymore, it’s about managing the business aspect of being a player.”
Paszek’s observation hits at the heart of what Raducanu is experiencing. It’s no longer just about the tennis—it’s about the brand, the sponsorships, and the commercial value that she brings to the sport. While this comes with its own set of opportunities, it also places her in a unique and often difficult position, where her decisions off the court have as much weight as her performances on it.
For Raducanu, the balancing act between playing enough tournaments to stay competitive, managing her physical health, and protecting her commercial appeal is tricky. The British star may have to make tough decisions about playing lower-tier events or taking risks to regain her form, knowing that each choice could come with its own set of consequences, both for her career and her brand.
### The Challenges of Constant Change and Coaching Instability
Another point raised by Tamira Paszek in her interview was the role of coaching instability in Raducanu’s recent struggles. Paszek noted that continuity in coaching and support systems is crucial for players who have already achieved significant milestones. For Raducanu, however, there have been numerous changes in her coaching team since her US Open victory, which can be destabilizing for a player trying to navigate the pressures of being in the spotlight.
“When you achieve something as big as a Grand Slam win, the support system around you should ideally remain consistent. But with Emma, there have been many coaching changes, and that complicates matters,” Paszek explained. “I know from my own experience that multiple coaching voices can confuse a player. It becomes hard to hold onto your identity as a player, and that disorientation can impact performance.”
For Raducanu, the changes in her coaching team—combined with a demanding schedule, media attention, and high expectations—may have created a perfect storm of challenges that she’s still working to overcome. The need for stability and focus, both on and off the court, is something she will likely prioritize moving forward.
### Looking Ahead: A Road to Recovery and Consistency
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Raducanu’s focus will likely be on finding a better balance between competition and rest, with an emphasis on avoiding overexertion and managing injuries. Her return to the top 60 in the WTA rankings has secured her places in major tournaments for the time being, but with injuries continuing to disrupt her momentum, she may soon need to consider competing in lower-level events to rebuild her form.
It’s clear that Raducanu’s journey is far from over, and her story is still being written. But as she enters the next phase of her career, the challenge will be to navigate the high expectations, media scrutiny, and pressure from sponsors, all while focusing on her growth as a player. The coming year will be a defining one for Raducanu, and how she adapts to the evolving demands of her tennis career will determine how far she can go in regaining her place among the top players in the world.