Despite a mediocre performance in the 2024 season so far, former World No. 9 Andrea Petkovic has backed British tennis ace Emma Raducanu to have a terrific outing at the Billie Jean King Cup. As the 21-year-old Briton gets ready to represent her nation at the prestigious tournament, Petkovic believes Raducanu can still do wonders.
With the 2021 US Open champion struggling to find her feet back on the tour amid injury woes, Petkovic has shown faith in the youngster. She believes that Raducanu has got enough time to stage a terrific comeback. Petkovic also highlights the pedigree Raducanu comes with.
Emma Raducanu gets Andrea Petkovic’s backing (Images via Imago)
The former German tennis player says that the 21-year-old can draw inspiration from her Grand Slam title win. Petkovic feels that reaching the second week of a Grand Slam tournament should not feel intimidating to Raducanu considering she has already been there and won.
First and foremost: her youth. If I was as young as she is, I would still believe I could do anything. She has the advantage that she won't be afraid of winning a tournament if she gets to the second week of a Grand Slam event or goes far in a competition again. Simply because she has already done it once at the US Open.Andrea Petkovic said about Emma Raducanu.
Andrea Petkovic believes Emma Raducanu will be formidable soon
Andrea Petkovic further talked about Emma Raducanu‘s US Open run in 2021 and pointed out that it happened too early for the Briton. However, she feels that having been in that situation gives Raducanu a huge mental advantage.
The former German tennis player then backed Raducanu to “find her feet again”. Petkovic also claimed that once Raducanu wins a couple of Grand Slam titles, it will become difficult to stop her.
That's a huge mental advantage that can never be taken away from her again. This title just came a little too quickly. She won more matches in New York than she had previously played on the WTA Tour. That was a crazy situation that doesn't happen very often. I'm sure she'll find her feet again. Once Emma wins one or two Grand Slam matches, she'll be really dangerous.Andrea Petkovic said to Eurosport.
Notably, Raducanu has not won a title since her US Open victory three years back. Injuries have been a major concern for the British ace. Now that Raducanu is back competing regularly, she is expected to win a title soon. It is to be seen how long the 21-year-old takes to break the jinx.
In the 2024 season so far, Raducanu has played in five tournaments including the Australian Open. While she made it to the second round at the year’s first Grand Slam, Raducanu has managed a third-round qualification at the Indian Wells Open as her best showing. The 21-year-old will next play the Billie Jean King Cup.
