Emma Raducanu's enormous progress in last 2 years went under the radar, believes commentator

Emma Raducanu hasn't received due credit for her tenacity and results over the past couple of years, as per noted British commentator Jonathan Overend. She underwent multiple surgeries in the spring of 2023, with both of her wrists as well as an ankle being operated upon.

Raducanu missed the remainder of the 2023 season to focus on her recovery. Her ranking dropped outside of the top 300 as a result. While she tasted modest success upon her return to the tour in 2024, she made a big leap in 2025. The Brit progressed to her maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami and ultimately finished the year ranked No. 29.

In a conversation with Sky Sports regarding Raducanu's season, Overend opined that the 23-year-old's steady progress is noteworthy for any player. It is all the more admirable in light of her history with injuries.

"If you take away everything else around Raducanu - the extraordinary Grand Slam fairytale, the hype, the enormous focus and interest there is. For any player at that age to make that ranking leap is seriously impressive. Outside 300 in the world, double wrist surgery, into the top 30 inside two years before turning 23? Any player, you would say, that's amazing!" Overend said.

However, Overend added that since expectations from Raducanu are sky-high due to her prior accomplishments, her current progress is often undermined. Comparing her results from a previous era doesn't paint an accurate picture as per him.

"The fact it's Emma Raducanu obviously means the conversation is very different because of what she has achieved before that and the expectation that comes with it, which is why I'm always enormously reluctant to compare this Raducanu to the fairytale Raducanu who won the US Open at the age of 18. You almost want to disregard the achievement because in telling the story it distorts the reality of the progress that she has made in the last two years," Overend said.

After a rather solid 2025 season, Raducanu will be keen to continue her upward trajectory in 2026. In a departure from her regular schedule, she will usher in the new season by taking part in a new tournament.

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Emma Raducanu will make her United Cup debut in 2026

Emma Raducanu at the Wuhan Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Emma Raducanu had been kicking off the new season by participating in the ASB Classic in Auckland since the start of 2023. However, she has decided to switch things up for 2026, and will ring in the new year by taking part in the United Cup for the very first time.

The United Cup 2026 will run from January 2-11. Raducanu, along with World No. 10 Jack Draper, will spearhead Team Great Britain's campaign. The Brits were eliminated in the quarterfinal stage in 2025. They've never advanced to the semifinals thus far.

Raducanu, along with her compatriots, will be keen to overturn their country's fortunes at the United Cup. With the tournament also offering a maximum of 500 points, it is also a great opportunity for her to secure a seeded position at the Australian Open.

Edited by Rohit