Emma Raducanu’s previous mentor, Mark Petchey, has expressed his belief that securing another Grand Slam victory may pose challenges for the British tennis sensation. Petchey, however, remains optimistic that Raducanu can achieve success once more by adjusting her playing style to counter the formidable “big hitters.”
Raducanu faced a disappointing defeat in straight sets against the ninth-ranked Elena Rybakin during the third round of the US Open, dashing her aspirations of clinching another major title, reminiscent of her remarkable triumph at the same event four years ago.
Following her breakthrough win, Raducanu has been working with various coaches to refine her skills, including a stint with Petchey earlier this year. Despite enlisting Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Francis Roig, for the US Open, Raducanu’s campaign did not unfold as planned despite a promising start.
Petchey emphasized the importance of Raducanu enhancing her baseline game and maintaining a consistent serve to better compete against formidable opponents like Rybakin, Aryna Sabalenka, and Amanda Anisimova. He highlighted Raducanu’s strategic strengths in redirecting shots from the baseline and emphasized the need for continuous improvement in this aspect.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Petchey underscored the satisfaction that Raducanu will experience when she eventually secures another major victory. He noted the obstacles posed by power players but viewed them as motivation for Raducanu to persist in honing her skills.
Raducanu’s upcoming focus shifts to the Korea Open in Seoul, where she has accepted a wildcard entry following her decision to forgo the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in China.
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