THE RADUCANU EFFECT- JADE CULPH
By: Jade Culph
Tags: Tennis, United Kingdom, Sports, Us Open, USA

THE RADUCANU EFFECT- JADE CULPH

Britain have found one. They have truly found one. What is one you ask??? What does that even mean??? How do you know what one is???

One look at Emma Raducanu over the last two weeks in New York City and you will indeed know what ONE truly is. She jumps off the page, she jumps thru the TV screen and she lights up the stadium as soon as she enters the arena.

Wimbledon 2021 was when Raducanu first IMPACTED on the main WTA Tour and what a way to do it. Blazing her way to the 4th Round of the event after receiving a Wildcard to compete. When it comes to Professional tennis I have always said that I believe the Wildcard system should be abolished because in a truly world global game the Grand Slam nations have advantages giving their own players free spots in draws that other nations don’t get. Have all players qualify. Spots should be EARNT NOT GIVEN.

After that Wildcard and 4th Round run it could have easily been said that perhaps that was a flash in the pan, perhaps it was lightning in a bottle for the 18 year old. Fast fwd to the last Grand Slam and major of the year in New York and that lightning in a bottle has now developed into a full blown TSUNAMI.

No Wildcard here at the US Open for Raducanu and no problem. She took part in US Open qualifying and went about EARNING it with nothing GIVEN. She blazed her way thru the qualifying draw without the drop of a set. Since then the wave of momentum has continued to roar with the 18 year old navigating her way thru the early rounds combined with a flick of the switch that has seen her CRUSH opponents in Round 3 and 4.

Last night it was Olympic Gold medalist Belinda Bencic that stood in her way and Raducanu rolled the sleeves up and went to work on her as well. Bencic is undoubtedly one of the form players in the world right now. Raducanu had zero care factor on that as she was always a step ahead, faster, quicker, smoother and just better in another straight sets win.

So what makes this girl so good at 18 years of age and how is she doing this??? One look at the way Raducanu has presence on the court should give you all the answers. Last nights match with Bencic should have gone the Swiss’s way but it was Bencic who always looked unsettled and who always looked rushed. Raducanu has a calm confidence that belies her 18 years of age and this combined with ROCK SOLID technique off the ground, dynamic court movement and quickness as well as a serve that POPS off her racket despite her small stature is a package that will have her competing in big finals on the WTA Tour for the next decade at least.

Don’t be fooled by the small stature and the innocent smile. Raducanu is a competitive ASSASSIN that can crack winners and move the ball effortlessly from corner to corner. Bencic felt the HEAT that Raducanu possesses in the Quarter Final and the Olympic Champion buckled and eventually broke in two. Once again there was Raducanu giving her on court interview like she had been there many times before. But she hasn’t. She hasn’t been there at all. She was cool, she was composed, she was care free and she was confident.

So what is next for the British wonder kid??? Up next is the Greek ball machine in Maria Sakkari. It is Semi Final time and Raducanu is every chance to win and move thru to the final. Sakkari is in the US Open Semis for the first time as well. She will be favoured to win this based on experience, world ranking and physical strength. But do not be fooled by any of this. We just may be dealing with a generational player in Raducanu. The generational players in the women’s game generally arrive forcefully and quickly. There is no doubt this is what we are seeing with Emma Raducanu.

The hype in the women’s draw has come down the bottom half where newly turned 19 year old Canadian Leylah Fernandez is also in the Semis. After she knocked out Naomi Osaka it has been packed houses and prime time night matches for Leylah. But up the top it has been Raducanu that has moved thru a lot more quietly like a stealth NINJA just waiting for her moment to EXPLODE.

After brushing aside Bencic in another late afternoon match fans barely paid attention as they prepared for the PRIME TIME night session. This is New York City and PRIME TIME is all that matters.

But there is no hiding her now, there is no not knowing what is coming because the total package and the total talent will be for all to see under lights on the big stage. The fast feet, the effortless and fluent service motion, the compact ground strokes that shoot off her WILSON racket like LASER BEAMS, the dynamic lateral movement, the defensive skills and most of all the coolness, calmness and quiet confidence. It is all there and it jumps off the page, it jumps thru the TV screen and into your lounge room and it lights up big stadiums. Emma Raducanu is here and will be a special star. Don’t be fooled by the innocent smile. She is too damn good for you to fall for that trap. It’s tough enough to beat her as it is.

Britain have found one. They have well and truly unearthed a SHINING GEM.

EMMA RADUCANU IS THE FUTURE🔥