John McEnroe has made a really telling assertion on Emma Raducanu as he admits he will get “confused” about her recreation and actions and subsequently cannot clarify predictions concerning the British tennis participant. Forward of the US Open, American tennis legend McEnroe was making a preview and shared his tackle what he anticipated from a few of the largest names within the recreation.
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And of the names that he was requested about was the 2021 US Open champion. Answering the query, McEnroe highlighted that a few of Raducanu’s efficiency in 2024 led to him considering that she was heading in the right direction to return to the very prime of the sport.
However then, the previous seven-time Grand Slam champion additionally added that a few of Raducanu’s choices left him baffled and never understanding what to actually assume. When making these feedback, McEnroe most likely had in thoughts Raducanu’s wins over Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari throughout the grass season and the Briton additionally making the Nottingham semifinal and reaching the Wimbledon round-of-16.
Additionally, the American tennis icon most likely remembered that Raducanu skipped the French Open – in addition to the Paris Olympics to remain on onerous courts – however then solely performed Washington main as much as the US Open. “Typically I see her and it seems to be like she is heading again in the direction of the highest of the sport after which different instances I’m a bit confused about what’s happening.
I’m not near her crew and what’s going on, however I hope she is wholesome. There have been a few matches at Wimbledon and she or he regarded actually good after which within the final one, she regarded actually shaky,” McEnroe mentioned, by way of Eurosport..
“It’s onerous to know what to say about her. I don’t actually know. She is actually in a greater house and more healthy than she was a yr in the past, in order that’s good, however I don’t know the place she is mentally. Does she have that absolute perception and dedication to win one thing large once more or be within the prime ten? That I can’t say”.
McEnroe on Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina’s probabilities
Addressing the present crop of the perfect gamers of the sport, McEnroe talked about Sabalenka as somebody he believes is “a robust contender” for the US Open title.
When the summer time began, Sabalenka picked up a shoulder harm and was out of motion for 40 days earlier than returning throughout the North American hard-court swing. In her first two tournaments again, Sabalenka struggled however then gained the WTA 1000 match in Cincinnati.
And McEnroe thinks there are some good causes to assume that the 2023 US Open runner-up might go a step additional this yr. With regards to defending champion Gauff, McEnroe acknowledged that the American hasn’t been nice thus far this summer time but in addition underlined that she would have a large help in New York.
“I feel, given the circumstances, it’s a extra open subject. Aryna Sabalenka, as an example, did not play Wimbledon or the Olympics, so she may be a bit brisker than different gamers. If I needed to decide somebody, she’d be a robust contender.
Alternatively, Coco Gauff hasn’t carried out as nicely over the summer time, although she’ll have the group behind her, which may very well be a giant enhance,” McEnroe mentioned of Sabalenka.
When the time got here for McEnroe to share his ideas on Swiatek and Rybakina, he mentioned that he was “not completely positive” how a lot these two “have left within the tank.” However then, McEnroe famous that the quick situations at Flushing Meadows might swimsuit Rybakina’s recreation.
McEnroe explains why she has doubts about Swiatek
As everybody is aware of extraordinarily nicely, Swiatek is essentially the most dominant participant on clay. However with regards to grass and actually quick onerous courts, that is the world the place the 23-year-old Pole nonetheless has methods to enhance.
And that is why McEnroe is not absolutely satisfied within the present world No. 1 successful all of it at this yr’s US Open. “Her recreation is unquestionably extra suited to a slower courtroom — both clay or a slower onerous courtroom. This courtroom in New York is enjoying fairly quick, so when you’re hitting sure forms of photographs, she’s not as efficient.
To me, not a lot has modified in her recreation. I do not see her coming to the web an entire lot extra or making drastic adjustments,” McEnroe mentioned of Swiatek. “She hasn’t wanted to as a result of she’s higher than everybody on clay. I’m positive she’s engaged on these facets, although.
It seems to be like she has an important crew, and as all prime gamers do, she’s doubtless attempting to maintain including to her recreation. That’s simpler mentioned than carried out whenever you’re snug in your personal strengths.”
