Raducanu Top 10 Sooner Than You Think

Simona Halep knows all about the extensive demands of earning a Top 10 spot.

The former world No. 1 spent more than seven years in the Top 10—the eighth-longest Top 10 streak in WTA history—and Halep envisions Emma Raducanu reaching the Top 10 sooner than you think.

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Meeting the media at this week’s Transylvania Open, the top-seeded Romanian praised Raducanu’s game and predicts the US Open champion will crack the Top 10 and emerge as “one of the best players in the world” in the near future.

“She has already won a Grand Slam title and I think she is able to achieve everything,” Halep said of Raducanu. “She now has the experience of winning the biggest tournament in tennis.

“I think she can easily get into the top 10 sooner than everybody thinks because already she is close to that. Yeah, she has a bright future and for sure, she will be one of the best players in the world.”

Ce emoționant! Monica Niculescu, Gabriela Ruse, Ana Bogdan și Emma Raducanu, invitata specială a acestui moment, le-au vorbit fanilor prezenți în tribune azi, înainte ca turneul să-și închidă porțile pentru public.

Doar ❤️ pentru jucătoarele noastre!#TO2021 pic.twitter.com/yApnMIh10G

— Transylvania Open (@TransylvaniaOpn) October 24, 2021

The 18-year-old Briton arrived in New York City ranked No. 150 before an inspired run that saw her play through qualifying and reel off 10 consecutive straight-sets wins to become the first qualifier, male or female, to capture a Grand Slam singles championship.

Currently ranked No. 23, Raducanu is seeded third in Transylvania and set to open on Tuesday against Polona Hercog.

.@EmmaRaducanu‘s Romanian is quite good, actually!

She spoke to the fans at the end of her practice with Gabi Ruse and the moment was much appreciated.

“People are very friendly with me. I love Romania and Cluj!”

Right back at you, Emma ?#TO2021 pic.twitter.com/nzenuo9cQ4

— Transylvania Open (@TransylvaniaOpn) October 24, 2021

Two-time Grand Slam champion Halep said she sees important essential elements in Raducanu’s game—clean ball-striking, quick court coverage, skill taking the ball on the rise and tactical acumen—to propel the British teenager to an extended Top 10 stay if she can remain healthy.

“What she achieved is unbelievable and it’s all credit to her because she played so well and she played so many matches,” Halep said. “I think her mentality was very strong and also her game.

“She played great tennis, very fast, very close to the baseline and I think the movement also was great.”

Photo credit: Transylvania Open Facebook