Former British No. 1 Dan Evans has expressed confidence that Emma Raducanu will one day secure a Wimbledon title, despite her recent struggles with injuries. Raducanu, who hasn’t competed since June after finishing as a runner-up at the Queen's Club final against Donna Vekic, has been sidelined with a stress fracture in her lower right leg, leading to her withdrawal from both Wimbledon and the US Open this year.
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Currently ranked No. 107 in the world, Raducanu is at her lowest ranking in two years. Evans, who retired during this year's Wimbledon after missing out on a singles wildcard, believes in her potential. He stated to The Telegraph, "I genuinely think she will win Wimbledon one day. She's good, and I think she believes that too. When she plays big matches, she's calm, treating them as just another match. I think one day she'll get it."
Raducanu has faced a challenging year marked by ongoing health issues. After battling a foot injury that disrupted her pre-season training, she took two and a half months off due to a post-viral illness following an initial illness in early February. Although she has reconnected with her former coach Andrew Richardson, who guided her to her US Open victory, their time training together has been limited.
As Raducanu was not included in Great Britain's team for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this month, speculation arises about her competitive future in 2026. Experts suggest that taking the rest of the season off to focus on recovery might benefit her, allowing her to secure a protected ranking for her return next year.
Evans noted the importance of Raducanu getting more practice, as she navigates the pressures from endorsements and her commitments. He remarked, "I've heard she's a good trainer, working for two or three hours straight without much of a break."
If Raducanu misses at least six months due to injury, she could utilize a special ranking for a limited number of tournaments upon her return, based on her top-50 ranking achieved before her injury during the grass season. Annabel Croft, a former player and current analyst, suggested that shutting down her season might be a wise choice, emphasizing that health should come first. Croft highlighted Raducanu's agility and movement as key strengths in her game, which need to be at their peak for her return to competition.