The British player displayed in Miami a version of her tennis that had not been seen since the US Open 2021, and she will seek on the clay court tour that the hope of seeing her back among the best does not remain another frustrated attempt.
There are green shoots in the tennis career of Emma Raducanu. The English player provides reasons for optimism and to strive again to be one of the best tennis players in the world after her performance at the Miami Open. The 21-year-old displayed an effective and secure game that led her to reach the quarterfinals and secure four consecutive victories, a feat not achieved since she lifted the trophy at the US Open in 2021. And now comes the clay court season, a surface where the Briton has never excelled and has only played five matches in the last two years.
It should be noted that the current world No. 48 experienced a dramatic episode last February during the WTA Dubai tournament. In the second-round match against Karolina Muchova, the English player encountered her stalker in the stands. Raducanu alerted the umpire and refused to play until the individual was removed, having been banned from participating in any circuit tournament.
Following this traumatic experience, Raducanu considered whether to travel to the American hardcourt events or take a few weeks off to process what had happened. However, she decided she wanted to play and journeyed to Indian Wells, where she fell in the first round to Moyuka Uchijima (6-3, 6-2).
Before this match, the English player hired Vladimir Platenik as her new coach: “We haven’t done much yet since he arrived recently. The day before the match, we didn’t want to make any changes. So, we haven’t really started working together. From what I know, he is very serious, very professional, and gets down to business. So, yes, we’ll see how it goes,” stated the US Open 2021 champion.
Another Raducanu Story in Miami
However, shortly after arriving in Miami and defeating Sayaka Ishii (6-2, 6-1) in the first round, the player confirmed the end of her partnership with Platenik after just a few days: “Emma holds Vlado and the work they started in the highest regard, but it wasn’t heading in the right direction. Emma is now focused on performing as well as possible here in Miami after her solid start today and will continue to search for the right coach,” stated a person close to her in statements reported by ESPN.
Despite this separation, Raducanu was accompanied in Miami by two people close to her, Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue. Both have known the English player since the beginning, providing her with an extra source of motivation: “This week, I have amazing people who have known me for a long time. I feel very secure and happy and eager to fight for them too,” she confessed during a press conference.
During her time at the Florida tournament, Raducanu was seen as very effective and always on the attack. Moreover, her service, which has often been her weak point, was the aspect that improved the most in her game.
Her success in Miami lasted until the quarterfinals, where she was defeated in three sets by Jessica Pegula with a score of 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. However, Raducanu’s performance left a positive impression: “I am very proud of how I competed; Pegula played at a high level from start to finish. Despite the loss, I take only positive things from this week. I played great matches in Miami to reach the quarterfinals, and it’s a nice feeling,” said the English player.
Clay Court Season Arrives
Now, the good intentions and flashes of good tennis must be consolidated during the upcoming clay court season, where Raducanu has few points to defend, as she only competed in two tournaments last year. She reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, where she lost to Iga Swiatek (7-6(2), 6-3), and was eliminated in the first round of Madrid against María Carle (6-2, 6-2).
Thus, everything will be a big question mark for Raducanu on clay. It’s a surface where she hasn’t achieved significant results, but she arrives with a positive outlook after her image overhaul in Miami. Therefore, during this spring, we will see if the British player has risen from the ashes or if it was all just a mere illusion.