Former world number one Billie Jean King has shared her views on the potential of Britain’s Emma Raducanu, emphasizing that her true talent and consistency will only emerge if she manages to stay injury-free for an extended period. The 21-year-old Raducanu, once heralded as one of tennis’s brightest rising stars, captured international attention in 2021 when she secured the US Open title at just 18 years old. Her victory was historic—not only due to her young age but because she entered the tournament as a qualifier. Defying the odds, Raducanu won match after match, culminating in a victory over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the final with a score of 6-4, 6-3. This remarkable feat made her the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam, and she became a source of inspiration for young athletes worldwide.
However, Raducanu’s journey since that spectacular triumph has been riddled with setbacks, predominantly stemming from recurring injuries. Once ranked as high as number 10 in the world, her progress has been hindered by a series of fitness issues, creating uncertainty about her ability to maintain a consistent presence on the professional circuit. Earlier this year, Raducanu made a comeback to the court after a lengthy hiatus of nearly 12 months, but her struggle to stay fit continued. The culmination of a challenging WTA season occurred when she had to withdraw from the quarterfinals of the Korea Open due to a foot injury, once again bringing her fitness struggles into sharp focus.
Billie Jean King, a 12-time Grand Slam champion and a revered figure in the sport, recently addressed Raducanu’s challenges in an interview with the BBC. King expressed that the key to understanding Raducanu’s true potential lies in her ability to remain healthy for a sustained period. According to King, injury interruptions make it nearly impossible for an athlete to build momentum, a critical factor for success in a highly competitive sport like tennis.
“If she can stay healthy long enough, then we’ll see how good she is,” King stated. “But if you keep getting injured, you never get that momentum going. If you’ve been injured—really injured—I always want to give a player at least a year and a half to recover. It takes a lot to come back from injury, and you have got to be very patient.” King’s comments resonate with many within the tennis community who recognize the uphill battle that injury recovery presents for players trying to establish or maintain their careers.
The conversation around Raducanu’s potential and the impact of her injuries is not new. Earlier this year, former British tennis star Laura Robson also weighed in on Raducanu’s struggles during an interview with Sky Sports. Robson acknowledged the immense challenges that come with finding consistency in the professional tennis world, especially for someone as young as Raducanu. Despite these hurdles, Robson was quick to point out the notable achievements Raducanu has managed to secure, including climbing to the position of Britain’s number two player despite limited playing time and persistent injuries.
“She’s still learning what works best for her—figuring out where she wants to play and how many tournaments to participate in,” Robson observed. “It’s a learning curve. When you look at her results, when she has played well and consistently, she can beat almost anyone. She’s a great player with such an attacking game style, but you just need to be able to do that day in, day out.” Robson further emphasized that Raducanu’s ability to climb the rankings despite frequent absences is an impressive accomplishment in itself. “When you think about the months that she’s missed, to climb to the ranking she is now, it’s actually impressive. In that respect, she’s done really well. I think everyone, including her, would like to see it happen more often.”
The conversation around Raducanu’s potential serves as a reminder of the challenges that elite athletes face in their pursuit of excellence. In a sport as demanding as tennis, the ability to stay fit and healthy often determines whether a player can reach their peak potential. For Raducanu, her journey thus far has been a mix of incredible highs and frustrating setbacks. The expectations surrounding her are understandably high, given her early achievements and the undeniable talent she possesses.
While the road to consistent success may be long and challenging, Raducanu’s determination to compete at the highest level remains evident. The tennis world watches with hopeful anticipation, eager to see her overcome these hurdles and fulfill the promise she displayed during that unforgettable run at the US Open. As King and Robson have highlighted, time, patience, and a bit of luck in staying injury-free could be the keys that unlock the next chapter of Raducanu’s promising career. Until then, the focus remains on recovery, perseverance, and building the resilience necessary to navigate the demanding world of professional tennis.