As the 2024 tennis season winds down, British star Emma Raducanu finds herself grappling with the highs and lows that have characterized her year. After a promising grass-court season that saw her play some of the best tennis of her career, Raducanu’s momentum was disrupted by a series of scheduling decisions and untimely injuries. Former British tennis player Laura Robson has offered insight into Raducanu’s ongoing development, emphasizing that the 21-year-old is still learning what works best for her, even as she continues to face setbacks.
### Questionable Scheduling Decisions Spark Criticism
Raducanu’s promising 2024 grass-court season had fans excited for the North American hard-court swing, a key phase in any player’s season. However, Raducanu’s decision-making during this critical period left many puzzled. She started the hard-court season in Washington in early August but then skipped the rest of the lead-up events to the US Open, choosing not to play again until the Grand Slam. Despite being healthy, she opted for a prolonged break, which drew criticism from fans and experts alike.
Her absence from key tune-up tournaments such as the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters meant that she went into the US Open with very little match practice. When she faced off against Sofia Kenin in the first round, the lack of preparation was apparent, and Raducanu lost in straight sets, an outcome that left both her and her supporters disappointed.
Raducanu admitted afterward that her sparse schedule was a mistake, acknowledging that she needed more match play to maintain her form. This candid admission showed a maturity and willingness to learn from her errors, but it was a hard lesson to absorb on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
### Laura Robson’s Take: A Learning Experience
Former British player Laura Robson, who won a silver medal in mixed doubles with Andy Murray at the 2012 London Olympics, weighed in on Raducanu’s situation. In an interview with *Sky Sports*, Robson highlighted the ongoing learning process that Raducanu is navigating. “It’s tough listening to her say that in New York because you constantly have the feeling as a tennis player that you could’ve done things differently,” Robson explained. “It’s still such a learning experience, and the fact that she’s still figuring out what works for her — figuring out where she wants to play, and how many tournaments.”
Robson was quick to note that Raducanu’s game has shown signs of evolution, becoming more aggressive over the past few months. This shift in strategy has brought her notable wins, but the challenge remains in consistently maintaining that level across different tournaments and surfaces. “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 said, underlining Raducanu’s potential.
### A Heavy Asian Swing, Cut Short by Injury
After the disappointment at the US Open, Raducanu aimed to make amends by committing to a packed schedule during the Asian swing. She entered six tournaments across Asia, including events in Seoul, Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Her ambition was clear: to play as many matches as possible, gain confidence, and end the season on a high note.
Raducanu expressed her excitement for this phase, particularly noting her love for competing in Asia. “I have to prioritize, and Asia was one of those for me. So I stacked the year on the backend heavy, because I’m excited. I thrive in Asia. It’s where I truly feel like home,” she told *WTA Insider*. Her enthusiasm translated into a solid start in South Korea, where she won her first two matches. However, her momentum came to a crashing halt in the quarterfinals, where she suffered a foot injury that forced her to retire mid-match.
This injury disrupted her plans entirely. Raducanu was sidelined for the next set of tournaments in Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, and Guangzhou. Her return was anticipated for the Hong Kong event, but just days before, she announced that she still wasn’t ready to compete. “Hellooo, I’m sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week. Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Her announcement was a bitter disappointment for fans who were hoping to see her finish the season strong.
### Robson’s Advice: The Value of Consistency and Back-to-Back Play
Laura Robson suggested that Raducanu’s Asian swing was an indicator of her determination to correct the mistakes of her US Open campaign. However, bad luck struck just as Raducanu seemed poised for a series of deep runs. “It’s all about figuring out what works for you, and maybe she just got unlucky over the last few weeks because that would have been a run of four or five events in a row, which would have been great,” Robson commented.
Robson emphasized the importance of playing back-to-back weeks to maintain rhythm and build confidence, a point that Raducanu appears to have taken to heart. “When you have the opportunity to play, she’s now realized that that’s the way forward, and if you can play back-to-back weeks, then go for it,” Robson said, underscoring the need for consistent match play.
### A Look Ahead: Billie Jean King Cup and 2025 Preparations
Despite the setbacks, Raducanu’s focus remains on the future. She is hoping to recover in time for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, where she aims to represent Great Britain. The tournament, scheduled for November 13-20, will be a crucial opportunity for her to end 2024 on a positive note. A strong showing at the BJKC could serve as a confidence boost heading into the 2025 season, where expectations will be high for the former US Open champion.
Raducanu’s development has been a story of peaks and valleys, with moments of brilliance often overshadowed by inconsistent form and physical challenges. However, her willingness to learn from mistakes and adapt her game suggests that she is far from a finished product. The 2025 season will be pivotal as she seeks to stabilize her performance, refine her scheduling, and fully harness her aggressive style of play.
### Conclusion: A Season of Growth, Learning, and Frustration
Emma Raducanu’s 2024 season has been a tale of highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations. From her successes on grass to the harsh lessons learned in North America, and the excitement of the Asian swing cut short by injury, it has been a year of growth. As she moves forward, Raducanu will need to balance her aggressive play with smarter scheduling choices to avoid the physical pitfalls that have hampered her progress.
With the Billie Jean King Cup on the horizon and the promise of a fresh start in 2025, Raducanu’s journey remains one of the most compelling narratives in women’s tennis. Her talent is undeniable, but as Laura Robson points out, the learning process continues, and the best of Raducanu may still be yet to come.