As Emma Raducanu continues to navigate a challenging period in her career, the British tennis star’s WTA ranking has taken a significant hit due to injuries, inconsistent performances, and several coaching changes. Since her stunning victory at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu has struggled to regain her form, and the pressure is mounting as the 21-year-old tries to rediscover the consistency that made her a household name. As a result, many have suggested that Raducanu should consider dropping down to Challenger events in order to gain easier ranking points and build momentum. However, Austrian tennis star Tamira Paszek has issued a stark warning, advising Raducanu against this route, stating that she would likely become a target at those levels of competition.
Raducanu’s meteoric rise to fame, culminating in her Grand Slam triumph at Flushing Meadows, placed her among the brightest young stars in the tennis world. But since then, her career has been marked by a series of setbacks. With injuries disrupting her playing schedule and frequent changes to her coaching team, Raducanu has found herself in a period of uncertainty, both on and off the court. As of late, her WTA ranking has dropped considerably, and many are questioning what the future holds for her in the sport.
### The Pressure of Returning to the Top
Since winning the US Open, Raducanu has struggled to find her footing, with inconsistent results on the WTA Tour. Her ranking has steadily slipped, and she has faced increasing scrutiny from both the media and fans. The pressure of maintaining such high expectations after a breakthrough victory has undoubtedly weighed on her, and her early struggles since becoming a major champion have drawn comparisons to other players who have failed to capitalize on similar success.
In the wake of these struggles, some tennis analysts and fans have suggested that Raducanu drop down to the ITF Challenger circuit—where lower-ranked players often compete in smaller, less prestigious tournaments—in order to rack up easier ranking points and gain much-needed match practice. The theory behind this advice is simple: playing in these tournaments would give Raducanu the opportunity to build confidence, secure more wins, and gradually climb the rankings without the intense pressure of competing at the highest level.
However, Tamira Paszek, who has competed at the top levels of women’s tennis and has also had her own struggles in recent years, believes that this strategy could backfire. The Austrian, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2012, understands better than most the challenges of transitioning from the spotlight of the main tour to the smaller events. She believes that Raducanu, given her past success and status as a former US Open champion, would be seen as a target at lower-tier tournaments, making it more difficult than expected.
### “She Would Be Hunted” – Paszek’s Warning to Raducanu
Speaking at the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Shrewsbury, Paszek gave an insightful perspective on what it’s like to play in smaller events after experiencing success on the big stage. According to Paszek, the perception of being a former Grand Slam champion would place a target on Raducanu’s back in the Challenger and ITF circuits, where players are desperate to make their mark.
“It’s easy to say she should play this tournament just to get points or matches, but if she played at a lower level, she would be hunted,” Paszek explained. “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 are a target, and that is a tough challenge. So saying she should just play lower-ranking events is not always so easy, and I understand how it has been difficult for her.”
Paszek’s words reflect the challenges faced by players who have been at the top and then find themselves fighting to regain their form. For Raducanu, a player who shocked the tennis world by winning a Grand Slam title as a qualifier, dropping to the Challenger circuit could bring an entirely different set of pressures. Rather than being able to relax and build her game in lower-pressure situations, Raducanu would face the scrutiny of lower-ranked players eager to make their own breakthroughs by defeating a major champion.
### The Difficult Transition After Success
Paszek’s experience highlights an important aspect of the career trajectory for successful players. After achieving a career-defining moment—like Raducanu’s US Open victory—there is often an expectation for continued success. The reality, however, is that it can be difficult to maintain that level of performance, especially when dealing with injuries or a lack of stability. While many players may initially find success at the top, the journey back up the rankings can be even harder.
For Raducanu, the drop in rankings has been coupled with a series of coaching changes. Over the past two years, she has cycled through multiple coaching teams, which has led to a lack of consistency and stability in her training. Paszek empathizes with Raducanu’s struggles, pointing out that transitioning from the highs of a Grand Slam victory to a reality of rebuilding can be emotionally and mentally challenging.
“It’s always going to be tough when you have experienced success like that, and winning a Grand Slam,” Paszek added. “When you get to the top and then you have to go through all of these changes, it’s a completely different situation. It can be tough to find the right balance again.”
### Raducanu’s Path Forward: Finding Stability and Momentum
While Paszek’s advice serves as a cautionary tale about dropping too far down the rankings, the question remains: what is the best way forward for Raducanu? The former US Open champion will need to carefully consider her options in order to find a path back to the top. There are no quick fixes in tennis, and while lower-level events could offer a temporary boost, they may not provide the kind of long-term solution Raducanu needs.
One thing is clear: Raducanu will need to find a stable and supportive environment, both in terms of coaching and physical health, if she is to reclaim her position among the top players in the world. As she continues to deal with the fallout from her early success, Raducanu must focus on building her confidence, addressing any physical issues, and slowly regaining the form that made her one of the brightest young stars in tennis.
Whether Raducanu takes the route of Challenger events or focuses on rebuilding on the WTA Tour, the key to her future success will lie in consistency—both in her play and in her support system.