British tennis star Emma Raducanu has been advised that a recent, significant change to her tournament schedule "makes a huge difference" for her long-term development and consistency, following her third-round exit at the 2024 US Open at the hands of World No. 4 Elena Rybakina.
Raducanu, whose stunning 2021 US Open triumph as a qualifier remains one of the greatest stories in sporting history, arrived in New York this year unseeded but with growing momentum. She navigated her way past a tough first-round opponent in 17-year-old Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva and then delivered a commanding performance to defeat former World No. 1 Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Her run was halted in the third round by the powerful and precise Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, who secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Despite the loss, the tournament was widely viewed as a positive step forward for the 21-year-old, who has been plagued by a series of injuries and surgeries that disrupted her progress over the past two years. Her coach, Nick Cavaday, emphasized the importance of her new approach, stating: "The key for Emma is building a consistent block of tournaments and training. That’s what makes the huge difference at this level."
A Deliberate Shift in Strategy
Following her US Open campaign, analysis from pundits and her own team has centered on a crucial adjustment Raducanu has made to her calendar. Instead of playing a sporadic schedule dictated by her ranking or immediate results, she and her team have committed to a more structured, long-term plan. This involves entering consecutive tournaments, regardless of early exits, to accumulate match play and build rhythm.
This strategy marks a departure from the period following her US Open win, where navigating the sudden fame and physical demands proved challenging. Former British No. 1 and BBC commentator Laura Robson highlighted the significance of this change: "What we’re seeing now is a much more mature approach. Playing week in, week out, even when you lose early, is how you build resilience. It’s how you learn to win ugly. That’s the base that every top player has."
The immediate evidence of this strategy was visible in her lead-up to Flushing Meadows. Raducanu played a full clay-court season, something she had previously skipped, and then committed to a heavy summer hard-court schedule. This included tournaments in:
- Austin, Texas (where she reached the quarter-finals)
- Indian Wells (second round)
- Miami (second round)
- Stuttgart (quarter-finals)
Building a Foundation for the Future
The primary goal of this packed schedule is not necessarily to win every event but to lay a foundation of durability and experience. For a player who has undergone surgery on both wrists and an ankle, proving her body can withstand the rigors of the tour is paramount. Cavaday has been instrumental in this process, focusing on a sustainable training load that prioritizes injury prevention without sacrificing competitive intensity.
Tennis analyst and coach Mark Petchey noted the visible improvements in her game and fitness: "The physicality of her game is clearly better. She’s moving well, she’s holding her ground in baseline rallies against big hitters like Rybakina, and her serve is becoming more of a weapon again. That doesn’t happen without consistent weeks on the road and on the practice court."
The Rybakina Test: A Measuring Stick
Her third-round match against Elena Rybakina served as a perfect benchmark for her current level. While the scoreline was straightforward, the match was highly competitive, with Raducanu creating several break point opportunities. The difference was Rybakina’s ability to deliver unreturnable serves and blistering winners at critical moments—a skill honed through years of consistent play at the highest level.
Raducanu herself acknowledged this after the match, telling reporters: "I’m disappointed with the loss, of course, but I can see the progress. I competed well against a top player who is proven at this level. I created chances. Now it’s about going back, working, and making sure I get more opportunities like this so I can start converting them."
Looking Ahead: The Off-Season and 2025
With the US Open concluded, the focus for Raducanu and her team shifts to the remainder of the 2024 season and a crucial off-season. The plan is to continue playing a full slate of tournaments in Asia and beyond, further solidifying the match-play foundation. The real prize, however, will be a full, healthy off-season dedicated to strength and conditioning without the interruption of rehabilitation.
This consistent block of training is what her team believes will allow her to make the jump from dangerous floater to seeded contender at major tournaments. The benefits of her new schedule are already yielding results:
- A steady rise back up the WTA rankings towards the top 50.
- Increased confidence in her physical durability during long matches.
- A growing database of tactical experience against a variety of opponents.
In conclusion, while the headline result at the 2024 US Open was a third-round exit, the underlying narrative for Emma Raducanu is overwhelmingly positive. By committing to a grueling, consistent schedule, she is addressing the very factors that have hindered her since her historic win. As her coach stated, this change "makes a huge difference," and it is this foundational work that could ultimately pave her way back to the top of the game. The tennis world will be watching closely as this new chapter in her career continues to unfold.