In the ever-competitive world of professional tennis, Emma Raducanu has been one of the most talked-about players in recent years. The 2021 US Open champion burst onto the scene with an unforgettable victory in New York, becoming the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam singles title. However, since her stunning triumph, Raducanu has faced numerous challenges, particularly with injuries and an evolving coaching situation. While her potential remains unquestioned, Raducanu has found herself at the center of criticism for her decisions regarding tournament schedules, particularly her reluctance to play lower-ranked events or qualifying rounds.
One of Raducanu’s staunch defenders, former WTA player Tamira Paszek, has weighed in on the ongoing debate. Paszek, who reached two Wimbledon quarterfinals in her career and once held a career-high ranking of No. 26, understands the complexities of being a player at the top of the game and then transitioning to lower-level tournaments. Paszek, now competing mainly on the Challenger and ITF circuits after a career plagued by injuries, believes it’s far more challenging than many realize to participate in lower-ranked events, particularly when you’re a former major champion like Raducanu.
Paszek’s comments come in response to growing calls for Raducanu to play qualifying rounds or participate in lower-level tournaments such as WTA 125 or ITF events in order to rebuild her ranking and regain form. While some critics have been vocal about Raducanu’s refusal to play qualifying rounds for several major events, including the French Open and WTA 1000 tournaments in Rome, Montreal, and Cincinnati, Paszek points out that the pressure on a Grand Slam champion like Raducanu is vastly different from what many assume.
### The Target on Raducanu’s Back
“It’s easy to say she should play this tournament just to get points or matches,” Paszek told *Tennis365*. “But if she played at a lower level, she would be hunted. I have felt this. I had some success in my career and now I am playing smaller events, and it is tough. People see you as a target, and that is a tough challenge.”
Paszek’s comments reflect the reality of playing in events that aren’t as high-profile as the Grand Slams. When a former top player or Grand Slam champion enters a lower-level event, their every move is scrutinized. The pressure to perform is immense, as lower-ranked players view these matches as a golden opportunity to beat a high-profile name. Paszek, who had success earlier in her career before injuries derailed her, can speak from personal experience. Her own career faced a significant shift when she began playing in smaller tournaments, and she admits the experience of being hunted by lower-ranked players was mentally and physically taxing.
For Raducanu, this would be an even more pronounced challenge. Having won the US Open as a teenager, expectations for her career are sky-high, and any loss in a Challenger or ITF event would likely invite criticism. “When you have experienced success like that and winning a Grand Slam, it’s always going to be tough,” Paszek explained. “She won the US Open literally out of nowhere, and you feel like the support around her after that had to be right.”
Paszek’s empathy for Raducanu’s situation is clear, and she underscores the emotional complexity of being a Grand Slam winner. For Raducanu, who has struggled with injuries and consistency since her US Open victory, taking a step back into the lower echelons of the tour is not as simple as it may seem.
### Navigating Coaching Changes and Injuries
Paszek also touched on the coaching turmoil that Raducanu has experienced since her breakthrough success. After her US Open win, Raducanu went through several coaching changes, which many have speculated may have contributed to her struggles on the court. Paszek can relate to the difficulty of adapting to different coaching styles and the emotional toll it can take.
“There were a lot of changes after that in her coaching team,” Paszek said. “I get it, I have been through a lot of coaching changes. Sometimes it’s financially related, sometimes it’s personal. People change, situations change. But when you have someone who has helped you to such massive success, money is not an issue at that moment.”
Raducanu’s coaching carousel has certainly added to the pressure she faces. With a revolving door of coaches, each new partnership brings different expectations and tactics. In Paszek’s view, sticking with a coach who understands and helps refine a player’s natural game is crucial. “I feel that if you are able to stick with something you are used to, it grounds you a little bit,” she said. “If you have lots of new voices, it confuses you a little bit and then the injuries are added in, and in the end, your identity of how you play tennis is lost. I had this. The input of so many voices came to me, and in the end, I was so confused. Who am I? What kind of player should I be?”
For Raducanu, staying grounded and focused on a consistent approach to her game may be the key to overcoming the current challenges. Her talent is undeniable, but navigating the mental and emotional aspects of the sport could be just as important as refining her physical game. Paszek’s advice is clear: patience and consistency are critical in such a tumultuous phase of a player’s career.
### Raducanu Responds to Criticism Over Qualifying
Amid the criticism over her decision to skip qualifying rounds, Raducanu has made it clear that she is not opposed to playing qualifying tournaments altogether. After opting not to play in Toronto and Cincinnati during the North American hard-court swing, Raducanu explained her reasoning for skipping those events in an interview with BBC Sport.
“I really wanted to play in Toronto, especially because I was born there, but the turnaround was too tight for qualifying,” Raducanu said in August. “I would have had to play on Sunday and I finished [in Washington] late Friday night, so flying there and adjusting I just felt was too tight. Otherwise, I just always do things a little bit differently.”
Raducanu emphasized that she was not “against” playing qualifying, noting that the experience of coming through those rounds can be beneficial. “If you get through those two rounds you feel you’re adjusted to the court. If you’re playing a seed, you have a better eye for the ball, a better feel – it’s not that I am against it at all,” she explained.
Despite these comments, the criticism continued, with many suggesting that Raducanu should be actively playing in lower-ranked tournaments or qualifying rounds to regain form and rebuild her ranking. However, Paszek’s comments highlight the complexity of such decisions, and the pressure Raducanu would face in such events. It’s not simply about gaining points or matches – it’s about navigating expectations, managing injuries, and maintaining confidence.
### Conclusion: A Future Full of Potential
Tamira Paszek’s support for Emma Raducanu serves as a reminder that the journey of a young player is not always straightforward, especially when you’ve achieved success at such a young age. Raducanu’s career trajectory is still in its early stages, and while the challenges she faces are considerable, her potential remains immense. Whether she chooses to play qualifying events or lower-level tournaments in the future, Paszek’s message is clear: patience, consistency, and the right support system will be key to Raducanu’s continued development as a player.