To enjoy sustained success over a long period of time, you must continue to strive for improvement and never settle for what you have. That’s the opinion of one former leading tennis coach, who has pointed out what Emma Raducanu must do going forward if she is to build on her surprise US Open success.
The 18-year-old has been tipped for a huge future in the sport, after shocking the sporting world by not dropping a set at Flushing Meadows, from the qualifying rounds to the final.
The Briton has been warned, though, that it takes more than just talent to become a serial winner at the top of the sport.
Nick Bollettieri guided Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova to their Wimbledon titles, and also worked with the likes of Serena and Venus Williams and Monica Seles.
He says the Grand Slam champions he coached all had a desire to continue improving – something he says Raducanu will have to emulate if she wants to continue winning major tournaments.
He continued: “I see the potential, and all sorts of positives, and I hope she continues to soar. But go easy, and let her breathe. Let her find her way.
“Raducanu’s next tournament, and next Slam, will be telling. We’ll see how she copes with fame, and having done something nobody has ever done before, and expectations she’ll keep doing it.
“Maria Sharapova, who arrived at my academy in Florida aged eight, was distinct from very young. Aged 11 or 12 she was running her own show, on court, desperate to get to work every day.
“I’d arrive to take a session and she’d give me a look that said: ‘Let’s just get this frickin’ ball game started!’
“Maria didn’t like a lot of talk. Everything was business for her. She was never satisfied, and to be a repeat champion is never to be satisfied.
“The Williams sisters were the same. They had physical abilities beyond compare, but it was focus, not letting outside distractions overtake you, that kept them so dominant for so long.”
