By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 27, 2023

 

Coco Gauff discusses a key factor people should consider when assessing 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu's chronic injuries.

Photo credit: Getty

Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu faced off for the first time at the Australian Open last January.

A week away from her fourth Wimbledon appearance, Gauff expressed empathy for the injured Raducanu, who is recovering from three separate surgeries.

In a match of both superb and sometime sporadic shotmaking, Gauff defeated Raducanu 6-3, 7-6(4) at the Australian Open in what may well have been a preview of future major battles.

Watch: Zendaya Stars as Tennis Pro

Following her 6-3, 6-2 sweep of Bernarda Pera on Eastbourne's grass, Gauff said three surgeries Raducanu has had this season is "crazy" and said she hopes the 2021 US Open champion can make a comeback. Raducanu underwent surgeries to both hands as well as an ankle surgery in recent weeks.

The 2022 Roland Garros runner-up said the physicality of the WTA Tour could have contributed to Raducanu's chronic injury issues. 

"Three surgeries is crazy. I've never had that experience of injuries or anything like that," Gauff said. "Yeah, and people don't realize when you don't go from playing on the tour, it's a completely different physical level than juniors or even some of the ITF pro circuit tour.

"That maybe could have played a role. I don't know like her situation, but I definitely have a lot of empathy for her. I sent her well wishes privately and publicly. I just hope to see her back on tour soon. I think she's great for the game and a good person behind what you guys see."

The 150th-ranked Briton made history as the first player—man or woman—to play through qualifying and capture a Grand Slam singles title at the 2021 US Open.

The experience accelerated Raducanu's learning curve and, she said, exposed her to the "sharks" within the sport.

"I had to mature very quickly," Raducanu told The Sunday Times. "When I won I was extremely naive. What I have realized in the past two years, the tour and everything that comes with it, it's not a very nice, trusting and safe space.

"You have to be on guard because there are a lot of sharks out there. I think people in the industry, especially with me because I was 19, now 20, they see me as a piggy bank."

'It has been difficult to navigate. I have been burnt a few times. I have learned, keep your circle as small as possible."

Since capturing the 2021 US Open, the 128th-ranked Raducanu has been riddled with injury and cycled through several coaches. Raducanu, who has posted a 24-27 record since her remarkable Flushing Meadows triumph, said adapting to life on the WTA Tour has been both a physical and mental challenge.