John McEnroe’s warning to Emma Raducanu – ‘You don’t want to be that one-hit wonder’

John McEnroe says he hopes Emma Raducanu does not become known as a “one-hit wonder”.

Raducanu stunned the tennis world when she won the 2021 US Open, but she has struggled to replicate her best form after nearly two years on the WTA tour which has been blighted with injury.

McEnroe says the British No. 3 has a “long road back” to return to the top of the women’s game, but hopes she can find enjoyment back on the court when she does return to competitive action.

“But you don’t want to be that one-hit wonder either. So this is going to be a long road back because she’s had to start over.

“When she won the Open. I was surprised that she let go of her coach right after. You don’t change a winning formula. At least wait a couple of majors. Then if it’s not working, okay, we’re starting to move on. I’ve never sat and talked with her, so I’m not sure exactly why these decisions were made.

“But we could see from when she didn’t come out on the court, a few months earlier at Wimbledon, that she was feeling pressure and stress. Almost anyone would. And then she handled it incredibly [in New York]. Now it has been more magnified.

“So you feel for her. You want her to be able to enjoy it – the process and the journey that takes place.”

Andy Murray will be competing at Wimbledon this year and began his 2023 grass court campaign in style, winning back-to-back ATP challenger tournaments in Surbiton and Nottingham.

Although the 36-year-old’s chances of picking up a third Wimbledon singles title – while playing with a metal hip – are slim, McEnroe believes he can still be a threat to the game’s best players.

“They do crazy things now, the medical people,” McEnroe said.

“I don’t know how he is even playing in the first place. But I put him in the top dozen players that understand what it takes to compete and do well on grass.

“If he gets a couple breaks here and there, who knows what could happen? Winning it? That’s a big ask, but you never know.

“Andy understands the nuances of grass better than anyone. I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by his improved movement in the last couple of years.

“Instead of focusing on the negatives, people should focus on the positives because this guy loves the game.

“He’s a Hall of Fame player that’s been to 11 Grand Slam finals, that wants to go out on his terms.”