22-year-old British tennis prodigy Emma Raducanu seems to have found her bearings once again. She’s strung together four straight WTA main draw wins for the first time since her stunning 2021 U.S. Open title run. This return to form arrives after a frustrating few years which have been characterized by difficulties with form, fitness and a revolving door of managerial turnover. Raducanu’s fourth round victory over Amanda Anisimova was what’s possible for her — a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win at the Miami Open. This outstanding victory has moved her on to her first WTA 1000 quarter-final.
Countering that, Raducanu had a disappointing summer, losing five of her six matches since her third-round run at the Australian Open. She appears to be hitting her stride in Miami. She credits this new life to a reconnection with her badass competitive side.
"Circumstances change all the time, but for me the biggest thing I'm proud of is finding the competitive spirit and being there for every ball and drawing that out of myself," Raducanu expressed.
Coaching Challenges and Changes
Raducanu has had a difficult journey to victory. A history of coaching changes since her teenaged Grand Slam breakthrough have informed her previous path. Vladimir Platenik, the most recent coach to leave Raducanu’s camp, lasted all of 14 days before he exited. She is now getting deep training from coach Mark Petchey in Miami.
The instability took a serious toll on her work performance. Despite the disappointment, Raducanu remains positive about her recent form and upcoming opportunities.
"I feel like in my environment, in my surroundings with the people I'm with, pretty relaxed, and I can be myself and expressive and true to myself. That's important," she said.
A Glimpse of Glory
Raducanu’s continuing run in Miami further demonstrates a massive turnaround in her overall form. This thrilling exhibition bodes to a wonderful season to come. Her win against Anisimova shows the level of confidence that Garbiñe has and how she’s not only playing but dominating on the court.
Her biggest test now awaits, with 13th seed Barbora Krejcikova up next, including a quarterfinal battle against fourth seed Jessica Pegula. Make no mistake, Raducanu’s confidence – buoyed by her run in North Carolina – is tangible as she seeks to keep the winning rolling.
"That's the biggest win for me, feeling a lot of hunger, feeling on the court competitive, wanting to run down every ball, and that's the biggest win I from this week," Raducanu shared enthusiastically.
Looking Ahead
Before her withdrawal, Raducanu had made some promising progress at the Miami Open. She’s looking to continue getting back into the shape that brought her into the limelight in 2019. Her resilience to adjust and face adversity will surely be tested as she moves further down the campaign trail.
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