"Naysayers won’t have a lot longer to be negative about Emma Raducanu" - Mark Petchey issues warning to skeptics after Brit's Abu Dhabi Open 1R win

Emma Raducanu’s former coach Mark Petchey praised her performance in the first round of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open, where she defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-1. Petchey, who works as a commentator and analyst, expressed confidence in the 2021 US Open champion's return to business despite recent challenges.

Raducanu, currently ranked No. 296 in the world, underwent surgeries on her wrists and ankle last year. The 21-year-old had been sidelined for eight months after the 2023 Stuttgart Open, missing most of the season and dropping out of the top 100.

Raducanu made her comeback in January 2024 at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She started her campaign by defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse in three sets, before pushing eventual finalist Elina Svitolina to a three-set thriller in the second round.

Raducanu played her first Grand Slam after a year at the Australian Open. She began by defeating Shelby Rogers in straight sets, but lost to Wang Yafan in the second round.

The Brit then faced Bouzkova in Abu Dhabi, dominating the match from start to finish. Raducanu won 6-4, 6-1 in an hour and 22 minutes to advance to the second round.

Petchey, who coached Raducanu briefly in 2020, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, February 5, to advise the critics to enjoy their negativity while they could.

"The naysayers won’t have a lot longer to be negative about Emma Raducanu. Better fill your boots before she is back in the business ends of most events," Petchey wrote.

Raducanu’s next match is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7. She will face second seed and World No. 6 Ons Jabeur in the second round.

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"It's frustrating that the last couple of years haven't been how I've wanted" - Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open

Emma Raducanu is setting her sights on improvement after a challenging period marked by illness and injury. Raducanu recently acknowledged her journey and expressed her determination to elevate her game.

In an interview with 'The National' before her Abu Dhabi campaign, the Brit expressed that she was still improving and was not yet at her best.

"I’m just trying to improve my game because I’m not the finished product," Emma Raducanu said. "Far from it. I feel like now is the time to start because I’ve had some illness and injuries over the couple of years since [winning the US Open]."

The 21-year-old further stated she was prepared to invest the necessary effort to enhance her skills and that she was not overly concerned about the outcomes.

"So I’m looking forward to working on my game, improving my level and the results will take care of themselves," she added.

Raducanu admitted that she had not performed as well as expected in the two years after her victory at the 2021 US Open.

"In a way, it’s frustrating that the last couple of years haven’t been how I’ve wanted but I think we take a lesson from everything and now is the time to start that work, and I’m really enjoying it," Emma Raducanu said.