Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski says it was “pretty normal” for US Open champion Emma Raducanu to lose her opening match at Indian Wells.
RACQUET REVIEW | Emma Raducanu – the first ever qualifier to win a tennis Grand Slam
Raducanu crashed out of the WTA event in the second round, losing 6-2, 6-4 to Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Great Britain’s Raducanu looked rusty in her first time back on the court since September 11 when the 18-year-old stunned the tennis world at the US Open by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title.
Raducanu swept past Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to win the title at Flushing Meadows.
After winning the US Open, Raducanu also made the surprise decision to split with her coach Andrew Richardson.
Rusedski, a former world No 4 who lost the 1997 US Open final to Australia’s Pat Rafter, says he expected Raducanu to struggle somewhat at Indian Wells.
He also said it was normal but urged the young star to make an informed decision on a new coach.
“It was pretty normal for Raducanu to lose in her opening match in Indian Wells after winning the US Open. This is the transition period which will take a few months to adjust to. A lot of new expectations to deal with. She will also need to address coaching situation after surprise split,” Rusedski wrote on Twitter.
Picture: Emma Raducanu – US Open Tennis/Twitter
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