Ex-Olympic medalist comes to Emma Raducanu's defense amid rough period

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Former British tennis star Laura Robson says Emma Raducanu is still in the learning process of what works well for her but that she also didn't have luck with injuries late in the season.

After having one of her career-best periods during the grass season, the 21-year-old made questionable scheduling choices that left fans but also experts baffled - she kicked off the North American hard-court swing in the first week in Washington but then didn't play again until the US Open although she was healthy. Throughout August, the former world No. 10 was criticized for her scheduling choices. And it only got worse for her after she lost in the US Open first round to Sofia Kenin.

Following a disappointing loss to Kenin where it was evident that Raducanu was lacking matches, the Briton admitted her mistake and that she should have played more. Also, she vowed to learn from it. 

"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. 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, who won silver medal with Andy Murray in mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics, told Sky Sports. 

"The game style has been a bit more aggressive over the last couple of months, which is great, but I think it's also 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."

After an early US Open exit and everything that happened, the Briton signed up for six tournaments during the Asian swing - Seoul, Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. When she arrived in South Korea, the 21-year-old noted it was her goal to have a heavy schedule in Asia but also make some strong results since she loves that part of the world.

"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. So I'm buzzing for that trip even though it's at the end of the year. I'm looking forward to going out there and trying to take it," Raducanu told WTA Insider.

And her Asian swing got off to a pretty good start, winning the first two matches. But then, a brutal setback happened as the former world No. 10 injured her foot and retired injured in the Seoul quarterfinal. After missing Beijing, Wuhan and Ningbo and Guangzhou, she was expected to return in Hong Kong. But on Tuesday, Raducanu sadly announced it wouldn't be the case.

"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. I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC," the British tennis star wrote on X.

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. I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can…

— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) October 22, 2024

Signing up for a total of six tournaments across a month and a half was clear proof that the 21-year-old definitely intended to play a lot late in the season. But an injury happened in the worst possible time and instead of competing weekly, she ended up being sidelined for an extended period.

"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, but then you pick up one little injury or niggle and you have got to start again all the time. 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. 

For the 2021 US Open winner, the hope now is that she won't suffer a further setback and that she will be able to represent Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga between November 13-20. Then, Raducanu can focus on preparing for the 2025 season.