One of the most prestigious coaches in the world of tennis believes Emma Raducanu has a bright future ahead but nothing is for certain.
Nick Bollettieri is a 90-year-old tennis mentor who has worked with no fewer than 10 former world No.1 players during his career, including Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova and both of the Williams sisters. He founded the Nick Bollettieri Academy in 1978 which was later bought by IMG. However, he continues to be involved in the academy until the present day.
Writing for the Daily Mail, Bollettieri praised Raducanu’s mental strength during her historic run at the US Open where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title at the age of 18. Raducanu was playing in the main draw of a WTA event for only the fourth time in her career. Prior to the tournament she had never faced a top 20 player but managed to score wins over Maria Sakkari and Belinda Bencic. In the final she defeated fellow rising star Leylah Fernandez. Throughout her time in New York Raducanu didn’t drop a set in 10 matches played.
“I was impressed by Emma’s physicality in the final against Leylah Fernandez, who in her own right is a deeply impressive player,” Bollettieri commented.
“Emma’s mental control throughout her unprecedented feat was marvellous. She didn’t crack. She smiled and prevailed.”
Looking into her game in more detail, the American coach says he is impressed by Raducanu’s footwork which he also says is an important part of Roger Federer’s game. The teenager is currently mentored by Nigel Sears who previously worked with the likes of Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova. She is also supported by the Lawn Tennis Association and is part of their highest-level support programme which provides support to players aged 16-24 in the UK who are considered the best in the country.
“Emma does all the basics well, but eye-catching was her remarkable footwork. That’s the bedrock for everything else. Roger Federer has sublime talent and shots but the bedrock is in the footwork. Watch it, but you’ll need slo-mo,” he said.
“Emma’s ability to strike difficult balls well was outstanding at this US Open. Striking a ball well is requirement 101 but consistently hitting back those tough shots: that marks you out. Those are the positives.”
Becoming the first British woman to win a major title since 1977, Raducanu has received a surge of interest in her by both fans and sponsors. The question is what will the future have in store for her?
Bollettieri is staying cautiously optimistic about how dominant Raducanu can become on the Tour. He points out in recent times players such as Jelena Ostapenko and Bianca Andreescu have also triumphed in the major tournament but are yet to win their second title.
‘Raducanu’s next tournament, and next Slam, will be telling. We’ll see how she copes with fame, and having done something nobody has ever done before, and expectations she’ll keep doing it,” he said.
“I can’t tell you with any honesty I know she’ll be a world-beater. I see the potential, and all sorts of positives, and I hope she continues to soar. But go easy, and let her breathe. Let her find her way.”
As to what advice he would give to Raducanu, Bollettieri said it is vital to ‘never be satisfied’ and always want to improve further. Adding that the tennis player and those around her must be patient with her progress.
Raducanu has pulled out of her next tournament which was meant to be the Chicago Fall Classic Open next week. Instead, her focus is getting ready for the Indian Wells tournament which will take place in October.
