The life of teenage tennis star Emma Raducanu has changed drastically in the past nine months. From being a professional teenage tennis player, Raducanu became an overnight sensation. In September 2021, the British star surprised everyone by winning the US Open at the young age of 18.
Apart from practice and hard work, another important factor played a big role in her success as a tennis player. The sacrifice made by her parents, especially her father has played a monumental role in her career so far. Her father, Ion Raducanu has always taken a keen interest in her practice and coaching.
Raducanu’s first coach, Harry Bushnell has seen the father-daughter relationship from close quarters. During his time as her coach, Ion constantly asked him questions regarding Emma’s coaching. As per Bushnell, Ion pushed him to become a better coach for Emma.
Furthermore, Bushnell said, “He would ask me tough questions and it made me go away and be prepared for everything that was thrown at me.” At the age of six, Raducanu showed signs of a tennis prodigy. Bushnell saw the genius in Raducanu and knew she was special.
Emma Raducanu regularly played tennis with her father when she was young
Ion was so involved and engrossed in her daughter’s tennis career that he used to play tennis with her regularly when she was young. Bushnell regularly saw Ion picking up a racquet to play some quality tennis with his young daughter.
As per Bushnell, this is something that doesn’t happen very often nowadays. He said, “I don’t think just buddying up and playing together happens enough (now). That’s where a lot of it can be learnt.” That is probably where Emma also learned most of her tennis in the early days.
With only a week to Wimbledon, Emma’s participation still remains in the dark. She is currently recovering from an injury that she sustained in June. She might miss the Eastbourne tournament.
If that is the case, her only chance for a warm-up is the exhibition event at the Hurlingham Club. If she misses that as well, then she would be entering Wimbledon without playing any warm-up tournament.