Emma Raducanu crashed out of the Cincinnati Open to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, but her performance has made legendary coach Rick Macci confident of success at the US Open.
She lost to the World No. 1 for the second time in a matter of months, after Raducanu’s loss to Sabalenka at Wimbledon.
Raducanu has been in impressive form since Wimbledon, but her loss to Sabalenka could rule out seeded entry into the US Open.
Nevertheless, Serena Williams and Andy Roddick’s former coach, Rick Macci, has tipped her for success at the last Grand Slam of the year.
Emma Raducanu backed for success at the US Open
Raducanu, of course, has history with the US Open, having become the only qualifier to win the tournament back in 2021.
Macci believes Raducanu could have similar success at this year’s event after the legendary coach was impressed with her performance against Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open.
“Great competitive effort from Emma against Sab,” wrote Macci on social media. “She never lost the skill just the will,” continued the coach after watching her match with Sabalenka.
“Now all about the battle and harder to rattle,” continued Macci, before making an incredibly strange analogy about Raducanu’s hopes at the US Open.
“[She] can deliver shockwaves in New York by going into each fight with a knife, not a fork,” said Macci.
The British No. 1 has not played the tournament since crashing out of the first round to Alize Cornet in 2022.
Emma Raducanu’s US Open hopes have been dashed by non-seeding
Raducanu is currently ranked World No. 39 in the WTA Tour live rankings and a chance of seeding at the US Open is out of her hands.
The top 32 players in the rankings gain a seed for the Grand Slams, meaning they can’t be drawn against each other in opening rounds.
Raducanu would need withdrawals to crack the top 32 in New York, otherwise she’ll likely play one of the best players in the world to begin her campaign.
Raducanu suffered a similar fate at this year’s Wimbledon, when she lost to World No. 1 Sabalenka in the third round.