Emma Raducanu Needs to ‘Take Ownership of Her Career,’ Says Martina Navratilova
In a candid conversation with Sky Sports viewers, tennis legend Martina Navratilova offered her insights on Emma Raducanu’s ongoing journey in professional tennis. Answering questions submitted by fans, Navratilova weighed in on Raducanu’s struggles since her meteoric rise at the 2021 US Open, emphasizing the need for the young British star to take control of her career.
Emma Raducanu burst onto the tennis scene in 2021, capturing the world’s attention with her historic run at the US Open. At just 18 years old, she made an unprecedented charge through the qualifiers to win the tournament without dropping a single set. Raducanu became the first qualifier, male or female, to ever win a Grand Slam, and it felt like a new tennis era had begun. With her poise, powerful groundstrokes, and effortless grace on the court, she seemed destined to dominate the women’s game for years to come.
However, what followed has been a challenging two years for Raducanu. Injuries, changes in coaching staff, and inconsistent results have hindered her progress, leaving fans and experts alike wondering what the future holds for the young star. Navratilova, known for her forthright opinions and deep knowledge of the game, shared her thoughts on what Raducanu needs to do to get her career back on track.
During the Q&A session with Sky Sports viewers, Navratilova did not shy away from addressing Raducanu’s struggles. One of the key points she made was the importance of Raducanu taking full ownership of her career. “Emma needs to take control,” Navratilova said. “There’s a lot of noise around her, and that can be distracting, but ultimately, she’s the one on the court. She has to make decisions that are right for her.”
Navratilova’s advice echoes a common theme in sports, particularly for young athletes who achieve success early. With a flood of attention, endorsements, and outside pressures, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s most important: the athlete’s own voice in shaping their career. Navratilova highlighted that while Raducanu has immense potential, she needs to be the driving force behind her decisions, particularly when it comes to choosing her coaching team and managing her workload.
“I’ve been there,” Navratilova explained. “When you’re young and everyone wants a piece of you, it’s tough to figure out what you really need. But in the end, you have to take ownership—of your training, your health, and your mental space. That’s how you get back to winning.”
Raducanu’s struggles post-US Open have been well-documented, and they’ve largely centered around two main issues: her ever-changing coaching situation and her recurring injuries.
Since her breakthrough win in New York, Raducanu has worked with multiple coaches, often moving on from one after only a few months. This instability has raised questions about whether she’s receiving the consistent guidance she needs to develop her game. Navratilova, herself no stranger to the coach-player relationship, stressed the importance of finding the right fit and sticking with it.
“You don’t need to be changing coaches all the time,” Navratilova noted. “It’s not about having the most famous coach or the one with the best reputation on paper. It’s about finding someone who understands you as a player and a person, and who can push you in the right ways.”
Raducanu’s frequent coaching changes have led some to speculate that she’s still searching for a mentor who can guide her through the complexities of the WTA Tour. While a young player naturally needs time to figure out what works best for them, Navratilova implied that Raducanu needs to settle on a long-term coach to help build a sustainable career.
Injuries have also been a major setback. Raducanu has struggled with various physical issues, from back problems to wrist injuries, which have kept her from gaining any momentum on the tour. Navratilova acknowledged the difficulty of staying fit on the modern circuit but emphasized the importance of managing one’s body and schedule.
“She’s had a lot of bad luck with injuries,” Navratilova said. “But again, that comes down to taking ownership. You need to listen to your body and sometimes pull back if you’re pushing too hard. The schedule is brutal, and you have to be smart about it.”
One of the most significant challenges for any young athlete who reaches the pinnacle of their sport is maintaining mental toughness in the face of immense pressure. Raducanu’s sudden rise to stardom came with a whirlwind of expectations, media attention, and sponsorship deals. While these are all part of the modern athlete’s world, they can also be overwhelming.
Navratilova, who has experienced her own ups and downs over the course of her legendary career, spoke about the importance of mental resilience. “The mental side of the game is massive,” she said. “Winning a Grand Slam is one thing, but staying at the top takes a different kind of mindset. You have to learn how to deal with the pressure, the media, the expectations from everyone.”
The former world No. 1 was careful to point out that Raducanu’s struggles are not unique. Many players go through difficult periods after achieving early success. The key, she believes, is learning from those experiences and coming out stronger on the other side.
“Look at the greats,” Navratilova continued. “They’ve all had tough times, but they find a way through it. Emma has all the tools to do that, but it’s going to take time and a lot of hard work.”
Despite the challenges, Navratilova expressed confidence in Raducanu’s future. She believes that with the right mindset and support, Raducanu can return to the top of the game. “She’s only 21,” Navratilova reminded viewers. “That’s so young. There’s plenty of time for her to come back stronger. But it starts with taking control and making decisions that are best for her.”
Raducanu has shown flashes of brilliance even in the midst of her struggles, and many fans are hopeful that she can rediscover the form that led her to Grand Slam glory. Navratilova’s advice serves as a reminder that while the road to success is never easy, it’s within Raducanu’s power to shape her destiny.
In a sport where talent is only one part of the equation, Raducanu’s ability to take ownership of her career will be crucial as she navigates the highs and lows of professional tennis. With guidance from icons like Navratilova and a clear vision of where she wants to go, Raducanu still has the potential to be
one of the defining players of her generation.
