'The new Emma' - positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to Wimbledon

Emma Raducanu is demonstrating a resurgence on the grass-court season, highlighted by her strong performance at the Queen's tournament where she reached the final. This renewed form suggests a positive trajectory as she prepares for Wimbledon, marking a significant shift from her earlier struggles.

“

I think I'm playing pretty freely, pretty aggressively, but finding the right balance. I've been returning well, serving pretty well. It's important on grass.

Following her French Open exit, Raducanu opted to focus on clay-court training rather than skipping the season entirely. This decision, coupled with the reappointment of coach Andrew Richardson – the mastermind behind her 2021 US Open triumph – seems to be paying dividends. Richardson's guidance has been instrumental in helping Raducanu find her rhythm and confidence on court.

“

It's great to have him back. I think we have been working on this game style. The whole week I have been playing really, really good tennis and the brand of tennis that I really want to play.

Raducanu has expressed a feeling of playing with greater freedom and aggression, describing herself as a 'new Emma.' Her movement on grass is notably natural and confident, a stark contrast to many peers accustomed to clay and hard courts. The lower, skiddier bounce of the grass surface also appears to enhance the effectiveness of her serve and groundstrokes, allowing her game to flourish.

“

I wouldn't say it's necessarily the old Emma. I think it's the new Emma.

Under Richardson's tutelage, Raducanu has achieved a commendable 14 wins out of 17 matches across four tournaments, including her US Open victory and the recent Queen's final. She credits her coach's approach, which emphasizes consistent practice and targeted feedback, for her improved performance. Raducanu feels she understands her game better and is playing the brand of tennis she desires, fueled by the support of trusted confidants and home-crowd advantage.

“

You take all the lessons and experience, all the different ups and downs, and you take everything. You understand a lot more what's going on and what works for you.