Emma Raducanu’s decisions this season have faced some criticism from fans, yet former British No. 1 Tim Henman remains optimistic about her progress.
Despite not playing at the French Open to focus on grass-court events, Raducanu has delivered promising performances. She nearly reached the final at the Nottingham Open and advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she defeated Maria Sakkari before losing to Lulu Sun. Her prowess was also evident on clay, particularly during the Billie Jean King Cup tie against France, where she secured key victories over Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry.
Some fans were surprised when Raducanu opted out of the Olympics, citing concerns about frequent surface changes due to her injury history. Nevertheless, she began her North American hardcourt season strongly, reaching the Citi DC Open quarterfinals. However, she missed the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open due to not receiving a wild card, a decision that some saw as entitled.
Henman defended Raducanu, emphasizing her upward trajectory. He highlighted the need for patience, noting her impressive performance despite limited tournament play and suggesting that if she remains healthy for a full 12 months, she will soon return to the top ranks and be seeded at major events once again.
