Chris Evert Drops Shock Claim: Is Emma Raducanu’s Career Doomed or Poised to Reclaim Top 10 Glory?

Emma Raducanu’s career trajectory has been a hot topic since her stunning 2021 US Open breakthrough, and tennis legend Chris Evert recently shared a bold, thought-provoking take on the British star’s future. Speaking exclusively to Tennis365 during Roland Garros 2025, Evert offered a nuanced perspective — balancing cautious optimism with a stark warning.

Raducanu’s recent 6-1, 6-2 loss to world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the second round of Roland Garros laid bare the gulf in experience and class. The dominant Polish player exposed the raw edges in Raducanu’s game, reigniting debates about whether Emma’s career is truly ready to soar or already on a perilous path.

Evert, a seven-time Roland Garros champion herself, pointed to the double-edged sword of Raducanu’s meteoric rise. “Emma’s 2021 US Open win was extraordinary, but I feel it may have inadvertently stalled her development,” Evert explained. Drawing parallels with Naomi Osaka, Evert noted how early grand slam success can become a burden rather than a blessing.

“It’s like losing years of career momentum because the world focuses so much on that one big win,” Evert said. “Endorsements flood in, coaches come and go, and the expectations skyrocket — but the player is still finding her footing.”

Yet, Evert remains cautiously hopeful about Raducanu’s potential comeback. “She’s not where she wants to be yet, but with solid commitment, she can break back into the top 10. It will take rebuilding and patience, but the talent is there,” she emphasized.

Adding context, Evert reflected on the nature of Raducanu’s US Open victory, noting that the path was unique. “Emma beat no top-ten players that tournament, unlike her final opponent Leylah Fernandez, who had to overcome three top-five players. That kind of breakthrough rarely happens again, and living with the aftermath has been tough for her.”

Supporting this measured viewpoint, former British No.1 Tim Henman told Tennis365 that Raducanu’s loss to Swiatek underlined the need for realistic expectations. “Success for Emma might mean reestablishing herself in the top 30 or even the top 10, but it’s about becoming the best version of herself,” Henman remarked.

Henman highlighted the progress Raducanu has made in building physical resilience and mental toughness through frequent tournaments. “She has a solid team now, and the early exit at Roland Garros lets her focus on the grass court season ahead. I don’t have any concerns if she continues on this path.”

Looking ahead, Raducanu is expected to take some time off before gearing up for Wimbledon and the grass-court swing — a critical phase for her 2025 campaign. While the top echelons of women’s tennis remain fiercely competitive, Raducanu’s story is far from over. Her upward trajectory this year suggests that, with the right mindset and support, she can still write a compelling new chapter.