Emma Raducanu finally found her footing in the tour this season. She became the first qualifier at age 18 to lift the US Open title in 2021, but, her performances have taken a significant dip since then. The Brit couldn’t cope with the high-paced WTA stars and when she tried to, injuries plagued her chances. However, after a modest finish to the season, Raducanu is making the most of her offseason and showcasing her love for the locals.

The Briton hasn’t had much on the circuit in the past few seasons. Poised to inculcate a noteworthy chance, she stuck her foot on the gas and decided to script a turnaround. She commenced the North American hardcourt with a ban as she finished quarterfinalist at the Citi Open, where she fell to eventual champion Paula Badosa. Though her Grand Slam appearance in New York ended in the opening round, Raducanu steered clear of competition at the Korea Open, that was until she suffered an unfortunate injury.

While contesting for a place in the last four, Raducanu was forced to retire from her quarterfinal showdown against Daria Kasatkina due to an injury in the left foot. Upsetting conclusion to her 2024 season, regardless, the Briton assured fans she will return at the ASB Classic in Auckland while talking to ‘Sky Sports’. “I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot with my tennis right now”. While she has no outstanding touring commitments to follow up, the young talent resorted to charity work in her hometown during the offseason.

In a post of X, Raducanu’s charity work in London was detailed. The update revealed that the Brit volunteered at Surplus to Supper, an organization that aims to combat hunger by utilizing perfectly edible food that would otherwise rot in landfills.

The only question pending is – can Raducanu live up to the hype? While fans speculate whether she has a shot at winning a Major again, a Grand Slam multi-champion has claimed she can.

Alfie Hewett sees Emma Raducanu as a contender for Wimbledon

British sensation Emma Raducanu hasn’t reached a final; in over three years. Several injury-marred phases – getting operated on both her ankles and wrists – tore her chances for a notable comeback. Moreover, she was absent from the tour for nine months last year due to such physical restraints. However, 30-time wheelchair Grand Slam champion Alfie Hewett believes that she can lift her hometown Major, the Wimbledon.

Seeing as she climbed from the top 300 to No. 58 this season, her compatriot noted that – “Emma has a real chance to have a big year. She has proven that when she is fit, healthy, and strong, and can get to the end of tournaments, she is up there with some of the best in the game,” he added. “I think it’s possible that she could win Wimbledon one day. She had a great run there this year. She’s got all the ingredients in her game, and she’s done it before, so why not?”

And who knows, maybe she can. If Raducanu continues to produce effective results on the tour whilst improving her game, chances are that the Briton clinches glory in her hometown and finally puts her bad streak of results to an end.