Andy Murray names two things Emma Raducanu must do to win a Grand Slam in 2025

Andy Murray spoke exclusively to Metro.co.uk at Wimbledon (Picture: Rex/PA/Getty)

Andy Murray has named two things fellow British tennis star Emma Raducanu must do in order to challenge for her second Grand Slam title in 2025.

Raducanu, who booked her spot in the second round of Wimbledon with an opening win over Renata Zarazua on Monday, won the US Open back in 2021.

The 21-year-old has been unable to land a title anywhere else on the WTA Tour since that remarkable fairytale in New York with problems over form and fitness.

Raducanu was largely inactive in 2023 due to long-term injury problems which forced triple surgery and a lengthy recovery period, with the one-time major winner currently ranked down at world No.135 after being ruled out for so long.

That’s quite the drop from the world No.10 spot she held in 2022 – but Raducanu is very much on the comeback trail – with a series of solid performances since the start of this year’s grass-court season showing just how good she really is.

Raducanu impressively reached a semi-final in Nottingham and quarter-final in Eastbourne in June, registering her first-ever victory over a top-10 player at the latter with an incredible 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 win over world No.5 Jessica Pegula.

She’s now targeting a deep run at Wimbledon 2024 – her home Grand Slam – where she first burst onto the tennis scene with a debut run to the fourth round in 2021, although she has downplayed her chances of reaching the second week.

Emma Raducanu beat Renata Zarazua at Wimbledon 2024 on Monday (Picture: Getty)

While Raducanu has clearly shown she is capable of beating the very best players in women’s tennis and many pundits have tipped her to one day return to the top 10, it is highly unrealistic she’ll challenge for this year’s Wimbledon title.

This year is all about building up her fitness – with Raducanu still a relatively inexperienced player on the WTA Tour in terms of the amount of tournaments she’s played – but Murray doesn’t think she’s too far way from more major glory.

The 37-year-old, who is open to a career in tennis coaching once he hangs up his racket and admitted in 2022 that Raducanu is one player he’d love to work with, says there are two things she must do for a major win in 2025 – 1. Stay injury-free and 2. Go deep in enough events to maintain her fitness throughout the year.

Emma Raducanu’s win over Jessica Pegula impressed Andy Murray (Picture: Getty)

‘Emma has played pretty well on the grass – her win against Jessica Pegula was a good win for her,’ Murray told Metro.co.uk when asked if Raducanu could genuinely win a Grand Slam tournament in 2025.

‘She’s got a tough first round at Wimbledon but she will have the crowd behind her. Next year really depends on whether she can stay injury free and go deep in some tournaments to maintain her match fitness.

‘The match at Nottingham [against British No.1 Katie Boulter] was great for the crowds – they love watching the Brits so to have two of them on court together, it would have been a brilliant atmosphere.’

Andy Murray will ‘consider’ tennis coaching when he hangs up his racket (Picture: Getty)

Murray has previously suggested his post-playing coaching career could be in a different sport – but he has suggested that his focus is now back on tennis.

Quizzed specifically if he wanted to be a tennis coach and stay in the sport, Murray said: ‘It’s something that I will consider, for sure.’

Murray will be remembered as one of Great Britain’s very best and most loved sporting heroes when he finally does decide to hang up his racket – which could be at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Andy Murray has tipped Jack Draper for a ‘big future’ in tennis (Picture: Getty)

There will be a huge void in British tennis when he’s gone but Murray has singled out two of his young compatriots to keep an eye on in future years.

One of those is the new British No.1 Jack Draper, 22, who produced a remarkable victory over Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s Club this year and plays his first match at the 2024 Championships on Tuesday against Elias Ymer.

Metro.co.uk interviewed Draper at the end of 2023 where he opened up about the massive impact Murray has had on his career and his dreams of Wimbledon glory.

Andy Murray is ‘hopeful’ Jack Draper can produce a deep run at Wimbledon (Picture: Getty)

Murray is a gigantic fan of Draper too and told Metro: ‘I’ve known Jack for a long time – he grew up near where I live.

‘We’ve played together in the Davis Cup and I see him on the Tour. He’s a really exciting player to watch and I think he’s got a big future.

‘It was a great win for him at Queens against Carlos Alcaraz. Beating the defending champion in the way that he did showed how well he is playing at the moment.

Is Jack Draper the next Andy Murray?

British No.1 Jack Draper, currently ranked world No.28, recorded a remarkable 7-6 6-3 win over Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the last 16 at Queen’s Club in June.

Speaking after that match, former professional and tennis commentator Andrew Castle said: ‘You don’t get to the ranking Draper has got to without earning that position.

‘I remember Andy Murray here in 2005, and it is reminiscent of that. I think Jack can go a long way.’

‘It came off the back of him winning in Stuttgart and that obviously gave him a lot of confidence.

‘Jack’s definitely got the ability to go right to the top of the game. There’s always a lot of pressure on the British players at Wimbledon but hopefully he can do well there.’

The other British player Murray has shined a spotlight on is relatively unknown and hasn’t even hit his 18th birthday yet – and like Murray – he’s a fellow Scot.

Charlie Robertson has been surging up the ITF Junior Rankings (Picture: Getty)

That player is Charlie Robertson, a 17-year-old from Dundee, who has been surging up the ITF Junior Rankings and looks set for a huge career in tennis.

‘There are a few, new British players coming through,’ Murray added. ‘I hit with Charlie Robertson, who is from Dundee, and watched one of his matches at Queens.

‘He’s a really nice guy and I would say he’s a player to watch – he had a pretty good year last year and I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.’

Andy Murray is working with Vital Proteins collagen to help with his active lifestyle and physical recovery after tennis matches.