Mark Petchey acknowledges being labeled “a one-Slam wonder” is an extremely difficult thing to deal with but also urged Emma Raducanu to be “confident” and believe in herself to the fullest because that’s the only way how she can reach the desired heights and shut up her critics.
Since becoming a Grand Slam champion in a historic way, the 22-year-old hasn’t lifted any trophies and she has often struggled with injuries and inconsistent results.
And that made her an easy target for critics, who have regularly scrutinized the 2021 US Open champion for the past few years, questioning her coaching and scheduling decisions, with some even claiming she was more interested in sponsors than tennis.
However, the nastiest claim remains that her 2021 US Open run was a fluke and that she would never again do anything significant.
“She’s already getting called a one-slam wonder like she’s never going to win one again, and that must be incredibly difficult to deal with,” Petchey, who worked with the Briton at the start of her career, told Betway.
Emma Raducanu© YouTube screenshot
Petchey to Raducanu: You’ve got to believe to exist and survive
After noting that the 22-year-old was in a difficult situation, the tennis expert also added that “there is a lot more to her personality and her than just being a tennis player.”
Then, he explained the steps that she must take in order to come out on top.
“She’s not arrogant, but you’ve got to be confident. You’ve got to believe in yourself to exist and survive. Let alone thrive. Tennis is a ruthless hostile environment where you have at a grand slam, 127 other players who absolutely want to beat your brains out,” Petchey added.
“They want the same dream that you’re fighting for, the same trophy and only one person is going to put a pair of hands on that silverware at the end of it. So, if you don’t back yourself, no one else is going to back you.’
Last year, Raducanu made the Wimbledon round-of-16 – it was her first second week at a Grand Slam since the 2021 US Open.
When this year’s Australian Open starts, the Briton will be looking to make it past the second round at Melbourne Park for the first time in her career.
Tennis World USA