Emma Raducano “tap[s]to a few people” for training tips

Remember when Raducano caused a seismic shock by winning the 2021 US Open as an eligible teenager who had barely played a professional tournament?

She was able to achieve the unthinkable by playing with a freedom that she has not been able to replicate consistently since.

Nearly five years on, and having reached the last 16 at a Grand Slam tournament just once since, Raducano is determined to get back to basics.

This means rediscovering her natural instincts to be an aggressive starter. Its early success was based on not being afraid to make returns early in an attempt to rile up opponents.

The first serve was returned deep court to immediately put her opponents on the defensive and the second serve was wasted with impunity.

Raducanu’s power from both wings was impressive, although it was clear that her forehand needed more work than her powerful, elegant backhand.

Over the next year or so, her forehand deteriorated to a place where it lacked any punch, and after wrist surgery sidelined her for almost the entire 2023 season, that’s what Roig has tried to recreate.

However, the lack of confidence in what Raducano was asked to do was evident at the Australian Open.

In her disappointing second-round exit, she committed 19 unforced errors from that flank and spoke afterwards of returning to a simple philosophy – “hit the ball in the corners and hard”.

There is another side to Raducanu’s ambitions to return to the top 10 and challenge the best players – her body and mind.

She must continue to build fitness and toughness, and have a heart that is willing to stop in difficult moments, to execute the style she wants.