Former German tennis star Boris Becker has voiced his concerns over Emma Raducanu’s future in the sport following her multiple surgeries. Raducanu withdrew from the Madrid Open this year and has since undergone surgeries on both her hands and her left ankle to address recurring injuries. Becker believes these surgeries may be “career-threatening” as players often find it difficult to recover from major operations.
Becker’s thoughts on Raducanu’s surgeries
In an interview with The Guardian, Becker said, “The surgeries that she has had are, in my opinion, career-threatening. Having surgery on your playing wrist, and as a two-handed player, the other wrist – and then on your ankle – is tough to bear for a young woman.” Raducanu, who won the 2021 US Open, has faced criticism for frequently changing coaches and is currently without a long-term coach.
Becker emphasizes the need for help and guidance
The youngest Wimbledon men’s champion and former World No. 1 believes that Raducanu and her family must be open to receiving help if she is to return to the top of her game. Reflecting on his own career, Becker mentioned the importance of his mentor Ion Tiriac. “Ion was an extremely important mentor because he’d been there before,” he explained. “But, first of all, she has to be ready for it. Her parents have to be ready for it. And if that’s not the case, then nobody can help.”
Emma Raducanu and her coach Andrew Richardson
After guiding Raducanu to the 2021 US Open title, her coach Andrew Richardson was eager to work with her on a long-term basis. However, two weeks after her historic Grand Slam win, Raducanu announced she was parting ways with Richardson. In a recent interview with Daily Mail, Richardson revealed that he was keen to renegotiate his contract, but was informed about the split by Raducanu’s agent.
