Tim Henman urges public to stay patient with British star at Wimbledon

Tim Henman has urged British fans to stay patient with Emma Raducanu ahead of this year’s Wimbledon. 

The teenager made the fourth round at the All England Club last year, after accepting a wildcard for the main draw. 

Following her impressive Slam debut, Raducanu stunned the world when she stormed to victory at the US Open without dropping a set. 

But since her triumph in New York, her performances have been underwhelming and the 19-year-old is yet to reach beyond the quarter-finals of any event this season. 

To make matters worse, the Brit has been plagued with injuries of late and has been struggling with a side injury in the build-up to this tournament. 

Speaking to Tennis365, Henman stressed that Raducanu has the talent to be successful in the future and that she shouldn’t worry about the weight of expectation on her shoulders. 

“There is an expectation there, but it is something you can’t control,” Henman said. 

“I was getting blamed for the weather and when that happens, you know expectations are a little too high! She has got a very wise head on young shoulders and the two things she can control are her preparation and performance.

“That is what she should be focusing on. How she played in New York [at the US Open] was incredible. You think of all the greats in our sport and no one has ever qualified and made the final of a Slam, let alone reached a final and won it.

“The ability is there and we just have to stay patient. If things don’t go according to plan at Wimbledon this year, she has got many more ahead of her.” 

Raducanu hasn’t played since retiring at the Nottingham Open and there were doubts over her fitness ahead of the competition. 

The Brit cancelled a public training session a couple of days ago,