sport news MIKE DICKSON: Emma Raducanu needs more consistency off the court with her ... trends now
Andy Murray once predicted a young Caroline Garcia would become world No 1.
Presumably the corporations who have invested millions in sponsoring Emma Raducanu were given similar expert forecasts about the British teenager’s long-term potential.
Murray is just out so far on Garcia, who has peaked at No 4 and played nearer to that as she knocked out Raducanu than she did to her current listing of 55.
Emma Raducanu needs more consistency with her coaches in order to enjoy further success
Of course Raducanu has already banked a US Open title, something that is for ever. Whether she will emerge eventually as someone residing in the top five comes with no such guarantee.
There remains a strong chance she will, given time, but not unless she absorbs the lessons that have continued to come thick and fast in the wake of Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu has compared her experiences since to a gap year, albeit a rather more extraordinary one than some of her contemporaries from her selective Kent grammar school will have had.
What the British No 1 should have gleaned from her unique experiences is the need for stability, especially in physical training and body maintenance.
Raducanu looked underpowered and her opponent Caroline Garcia had more variety
All the evidence was out there on Centre Court. Garcia’s first serve was 10mph faster, and with her groundstrokes she struck the ball with far more potency.
Her game had more variety, too, winning 16 points out of 20 when she approached the net. Aside from the two breaks she gave up, she was excellent.
Raducanu looked underpowered by comparison, although she can point to the side strain that hindered her preparations for Wimbledon.
In her ever-changing support box only
