Recovery from wrist surgeries has made a drop in the WTA rankings inevitable for Emma Raducanu. She has already fallen out of the top 250, and once the 110 points from her previous Korea Open run are removed next week, the US Open champion will likely slip to approximately 275th. This represents a steep decline for a player who once broke into the top 10 after her legendary win two years ago, marking a difficult period in her professional career.
British star Emma Raducanu’s fall down in the WTA rankings is unavoidable as she recovers from wrist surgeries. Raducanu’s latest dip saw her drop out of the top 250 on the WTA list. Raducanu’s 110 ranking points from her run to the Korea Open semi-final last year will be deducted from her total next week, putting the 2021 US Open champion at about 275 when the revised rankings are announced. It is certainly a fall from grace for a woman who broke into the top 10 after her incredible win at the US Open two years ago, but Raducanu’s career has been plagued since that time.
Public perception suffered when critics suggested that the various business ventures she pursued after her win in New York had overshadowed her ambition to succeed on the tennis court.
Recent reports from the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in London suggest that the 20-year-old has been pushing herself harder in training. This speculation has been confirmed by Raducanu herself, who announced her plan to get back into the game in 2024.
\"I'll be returning next season,\" Raducanu told BBC London. She admitted that it was tough to watch the Grand Slams conclude this year while she was sidelined, but she remained disciplined and focused on her rehabilitation. Regarding the constant media attention, she viewed it as a positive, noting, \"The fact they are still talking about me even though I’m not at these events is just a compliment. Someone told me ‘Worry when they are not talking about you.’\"
While she didn't specify an exact date for her comeback, the end of the 2023 season makes a return next year the most logical step. On the bright side, her current ranking shouldn't be a major barrier to entering tournaments, and since she has very few points to defend, she could climb back up the WTA ladder quickly provided she remains injury-free.
Laura Robson, the former top British player, expressed her confidence in Raducanu's potential. Speaking to Tennis365, Robson highlighted her impressive ball-striking, movement, and overall competitiveness, stating that the talent is definitely there. She noted that the key now is for Raducanu to prioritize her health and get as much match play as possible to regain her form.