Emma Raducanu does not get 'enough credit' and has 'great future', says Maria Sakkari at Nottingham Open

Greek star Maria Sakkari believes Emma Raducanu does not get “enough credit” as she looks to solidify her place towards the top of the WTA Tour. World No. 11 Raducanu beat Sakkari on her way to her shock US Open victory last summer.

Ad/> She has struggled for consistency since then, and this week was struck down by another injury issue at the Nottingham Open, retiring from a match for the third time this season. WimbledonRaducanu expected to be fit for Wimbledon despite Birmingham withdrawal12 HOURS AGO Sakkari, who is top seed in Nottingham, was something of a late bloomer as she won her first WTA title aged 23, and says Raducanu, 19, needs time. «I don't really know her that well, but people don't give enough credit to her.

She has been playing good,» said the world No. 5. «It is not easy, if you exclude the US Open, she is 19.

It takes time. The level at WTA is very, very high, so it is going to take time for her and every young player just to get used to the level. Wimbledon power rankings: Who will rule on the grass? Raducanu expected to be fit for Wimbledon Judy Murray: Raducanu needs time to mature »She had a three-week tournament in New York and I think now what she is doing is the right thing.

«It took me a lot of time because my breakthrough was later than other players. Everyone has different times to break through. For me it was two or three years until I got used to the tour — it always takes time.» Sakkari, who has made finals in Indian Wells and St Petersburg this year, opened her grass season with a 6-2 6-3 win over Camila Osorio in Nottingham.

Shortly afterwards, Raducanu retired after 35 minutes of her match against Viktorija Golubic due to injury. The British No. 1 is expected to be fit for Wimbledon,