Writing for the Daily Mail, Bollettieri lauded Raducanu’s extraordinary performance at Flushing Meadows. He also admitted to being “shocked” at the ease with which she conquered the US Open; the Brit didn’t drop a single set on her way to becoming the first qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam.
The veteran tennis coach has worked with several high-profile tennis players - including Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi - and founded the famous Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (now IMG Academy) in Florida, USA. Describing Emma Raducanu as “Britain’s smiling meteor”, Bollettieri marveled at how the 18-year-old won the US Open “at a canter”.
But the 90-year-old stopped short of claiming that Raducanu was destined to be an “all-time great”, since he believes the competition levels in tennis change very rapidly.
The American went on to talk about the aspects of Emma Raducanu’s game that impressed him the most. He heaped praise on the teenager’s physicality, versatility and mental strength, and even referenced Roger Federer while emphasizing how quick footwork was the foundation of her game.
“Let Emma Raducanu find her way” - Nick Bollettieri
Nick Bollettieri further opined that Emma Raducanu’s next big tournament would be a true indicator of her potential to become a top player in the future. Bollettieri added that it remains to be seen how she will cope with the fame and expectations, before urging everyone to “let her breathe” and find her “own way”.
The American proceeded to give some words of advice to the teenage phenomenon. He encouraged Emma Raducanu to never be satisfied and to keep striving for things that people say are impossible.
0 votes
