Emma Raducanu’s US Open exit will make it easier for the rising star to develop her game, says British legend Virginia Wade… who insists that the 19-year-old will ‘progress without so much pressure’
- Virginia Wade says Emma Raducanu’s US Open defeat will help her develop
- Raducanu failed to defend her Grand Slam title after losing in the first round
- Wade says the 19-year-old star will ‘progress without so much pressure’
Virginia Wade is hoping that the loss of her US Open title will make it easier for Emma Raducanu to develop her game, relieved of the expectation burden.
‘Maybe now her ranking goes down she’ll progress without so much pressure,’ said Wade, Britain’s previous Grand Slam women’s winner.
She made the trip from her Long Island home to support Raducanu at Flushing Meadows, only for her successor as GB number one to lose in the first round to the experienced Alize Cornet of France.
Emma Raducanu was knocked out in the first round of her US Open title defence
British legend Virginia Wade says Raducanu will ‘progress without so much pressure’
‘I thought Emma played quite well,’ was the verdict of Wade, 77. ‘It was a rough matchup for both of them, as Cornet has been playing so well lately. Emma’s game is all there, but Cornet was much the better understanding the different strategies and chess moves.’
Raducanu now looks set to be just outside the top 80 as the next phase of her career begins after the Open.
She will play one of the few surviving WTA Tour events in Asia, the Hana Bank Open in Seoul, beginning on September 19. It offers $251,000 prize money, at the opposite end of the scale to New York.
Raducanu’s next appearance in the UK is expected to be representing GB in the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow, in the week of November 8.
The 19-year-old was beaten in straight sets by Alize Cornet of France at Flushing Meadows
Despite being disappointed with being knocked out, Raducanu does not mind taking a step out of the firing line in order to climb back up the rankings.
She said: ‘Obviously it’s really disappointing, I’m really sad to leave here. It’s probably my favourite tournament.
‘But also in a way I’m happy because it’s a clean slate. I’m going to drop down the rankings. Climb my way back up. The target will be off my back slightly.’
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