Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, remains optimistic about Emma Raducanu’s potential return to the top 10 in tennis but underscores the necessity for significant effort on the 21-year-old’s part. Raducanu, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 10 in July 2022, is currently positioned at No. 262 in the world following her return from three surgeries.
After a lukewarm start to the year with a 3-3 record in her initial three tournaments, Raducanu faced a disappointing 0-6, 6-7 (6) loss to Anhelina Kalinina in Doha, marking her first-round exit since making a comeback. In response to this setback, Raducanu revealed her decision to skip the upcoming WTA 1000 event in Dubai, opting instead to return to London for practice and reflection.
Marion Bartoli, a former world No. 7, supports Raducanu’s choice, deeming it essential for Raducanu and her team to assess their situation thoroughly and devise a strategic plan for the remainder of the year.
Reflecting on Raducanu’s performance in Doha, Bartoli commented, “Towards the end of the second set, she was getting a little tired, and you could see on the match point she was struggling physically, so it’s all of that you have to take in.”
Bartoli believes that a comprehensive debrief with Raducanu’s team is imperative, considering her recent ability to play consecutive tournaments. While acknowledging Raducanu’s latent potential, Bartoli emphasizes that substantial work lies ahead for the young player to reclaim her spot in the top 10.
Looking ahead, unless Raducanu opts for lower-level tournaments, her next potential competition could be Indian Wells in early March. Even though Raducanu hasn’t secured a main draw spot for Indian Wells, the likelihood of receiving a wildcard, as was the case last year, remains high if she chooses to request one.
