Exclusive – John McEnroe’s verdict on what comes next for Emma Raducanu

Tennis legend John McEnroe got into hot water when he suggested Emma Raducanu quit Wimbledon in 2021 because ‘the moment got to her’, but now he is willing the British teenager to succeed as she prepares to defend her US Open crown.

Raducanu stunned the sporting world as she won last year’s US Open after coming through qualifying, leaping to international stardom after her breakthrough tournament at Wimbledon ended in disappointment a few months earlier.

After withdrawing from her fourth round match against Ajla Tomljanović a year ago, McEnroe came under fire for questioning the mental strength of Raducanu in the heat of battle on court, but he insists those doubting the teenager now are misguided.

“Don’t ask if Raducanu is going to be a good player because she is already is a great player,” McEnroe told Tennis365 at an event to promote his new biopic movie.

“No one wins a major if they are not a great player and hopefully she has belief, but a lot has changed for her since then.

“I”m not close to her. In fact. As a matter of fact, I’ve never spoken to her. I hope to have the opportunity soon because she is obviously a breath of fresh air. She is a very sweet girl, a beautiful girl and plays great tennis. What’s not to like.

McEnroe on his first trip to Europe

John McEnroe on Novak Djokovic

Does Novak get the credit he deserves

McEnroe on Raducanu

Laura on Play Your Way To Wimbledon

McEnroe on Kyrgios

What next for Nick Kyrgios

John McEnroe movie - A review of the new film

Iga Swiatek's time has come

The moment Andy Murray won Wimbledon

“It has been hard to watch her struggling, but I don’t know if she needs time. She needs the right stability and people around her and I don’t know what’s going on there.

“You don’t go