Emma Raducanu transferring again contained in the world’s high 30 is a “completely realistic” goal in 2025 if she will be able to keep injury-free, in keeping with former British No 1 Tim Henman.
Raducanu began 2024 outdoors of the world’s high 300 after present process surgical procedure on each of her wrists and her left ankle the earlier yr, however ended the marketing campaign contained in the top-60 regardless of one other injury-plagued season.
The previous US Open champion received 20 of her 33 matches in 2024, the place she was sidelined with a foot damage for 2 months earlier than making a profitable return on the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Raducanu stated after representing Nice Britain that she is “excited and itching” for 2025, with Henman hoping to see the 22-year-old keep match and play a full WTA Tour schedule subsequent season.
“I think the challenge for Raducanu is around physical resilience,” Henman informed the Sky Sports activities Tennis podcast.
“You speak about Katie Boulter and all of the enhancements that she made. Sure, she has acquired higher as a tennis participant, her motion has improved, however it’s additionally the resilience to have the ability to play that full schedule.
“You noticed Katie on the finish of the yr taking part in 4 or 5 tournaments in a row. She made a ultimate in Hong Kong, on the final occasion of the yr and completed within the high 25.
“Raducanu has had an honest yr going from form of 300 into the highest 60 however, while you take a look at the quantity of tennis she’s performed, she hasn’t performed an awesome deal. If she builds up that resilience, each time she steps on the courtroom, she was taking part in good tennis.
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Martina Navratilova believes Emma Raducanu ought to take possession of her tennis profession as she solutions followers questions
“Therefore, top 50, top 30 in 2025, I think is completely realistic.”
Grand Slam run the subsequent goal for Boulter?
Boulter claimed her first WTA 500 title with victory on the San Diego Open earlier within the yr and retained her Nottingham Open title in the summertime, having overwhelmed Raducanu within the semi-finals, then reached a career-high within the WTA rankings after her run to the Hong Kong Open ultimate.
The 28-year-old has nonetheless but to progress past the third spherical of a Grand Slam and didn’t get past the second spherical in any of the 4 majors this season, one thing Boulter will look to vary in 2025.
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British primary Katie Boulter confronted Diana Shnaider within the ultimate of the Hong Kong Open
“You still watch her and think there’s room for more improvement,” Henman added. She has performed so properly, competed so usually to construct that resilience and the match rely.
“That [a Grand Slam run] takes, you know, your game and your stature within the sport to a different level and that’s definitely what I’d like to see from Katie Boulter in 2025.”
On the place Boulter has impressed in 2024, Sky Sports activities Tennis commentator Jonathan Overend stated: “I’ve been so impressed about how her game has moved on. Her movement has improved, her defensive skills have improved. Maybe she hasn’t truly believed that she can do that in the past.
“The mentality has maybe switched this yr. However to see her getting balls out of the corners and scrambling throughout the opposite nook has been so nice, as a result of we all know she will be able to then end the purpose with a giant floor stroke. Her all-round sport has come on leaps and bounds.”
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British No 1 Katie Boulter sealed her first WTA 500 match victory with a 5-7 6-2 6-2 win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on the San Diego Open
What else is on the podcast?
The most recent podcast sees Henman, Overend and Laura Robson be part of Gigi Salmon to look again on the highs and lows from British gamers over the previous season, together with further reflections on Sir Andy Murray calling time on his good profession.
Robson explains why she feels the ‘sky is the restrict’ for Jack Draper after a formidable marketing campaign, with the crew additionally trying again at Dan Evans’ 2024 and another notable performances from Britain’s new wave of tennis stars.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will probably be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
