Wimbledon news: Raducanu and Draper suffer painful setbacks as star forfeits prize money
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BBC broadcasting icon Sue Barker has shared her fears surrounding Emma Raducanu's fitness.
The British No. 1 is entering Wimbledon with a back injury, though confirmed she will play, and Barker expressed her frustrations that too much pressure is being put on her.
“I think everyone expects too much from Emma,” Barker told The Independent. “It was a fairytale, a fluke, whatever you want to say – a qualifier coming through to win a grand slam, it should be a Hollywood movie.
"And yet everyone thinks that because she’s done that, she’s now going to be top 10. It doesn’t work like that – she wasn’t a top-10 player [when she won], she’d hardly played the game.
“I'm thrilled that this year she’s playing really well, the serve’s improved, the forehand’s improved, Petch [Mark Petchey] is in the corner, I think that’s a great signing.
"I hope she really builds a relationship with a coach, like Jack [Draper], because to have that longevity and trust with someone is important.
“Physically, I worry about the injuries. It doesn’t matter how well you play; if your body breaks down, you’re gone. As Jack found out – Emma has got to do the same, build up her strength.”
