Emma Raducanu picks up LTA award as British tennis star breaks back into top 100

Emma Raducanu has received the LTA’s Female Young Player of the Month award for July following an upturn in form.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence recently, showing signs that she may be returning to top form after enduring injury hell in 2023.

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Raducanu enjoyed an impressive run at this summer’s Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round, and beating Elise Mertens and world number nine Maria Sakkari en route.

Despite eventually falling to New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in three sets, this was the first time the Brit had reached the round of 16 of a Grand Slam since her 2021 US Open win, during which time she has struggled for form and fitness.

But Raducanu appears to have put her previous woes behind her this summer, with her Wimbledon performance following a run to the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.

These results, along with reaching the semi-finals of the Rothesay Open in June, were enough to see the British number three break back into the world’s top 100.

The LTA announced Raducanu’s award on social media, writing on X: “Your Female Player of the Month for July is Emma Raducanu.”

The national tennis governing body then outlined the star’s credentials for the award, which is voted for by members: “Reached the fourth round at Wimbledon

“Beat world No.33 Elise Mertens & world No.9 Maria Sakkari along the way. Broke back into the WTA top 100.”

And the Grand Slam champion has continued in strong form since enjoying a resurgent July, progressing to the quarter-finals at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in early August, where she was beaten by former world no.2 Paula Badosa.

Raducanu has made returning to full fitness her priority this year, after spending the second half of 2023 out of action following double wrist and ankle surgery.

And her desire to avoid a repeat of past injuries has seen her make some tough calls over the summer, first by withdrawing from the mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon.

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The decision drew heavy criticism, with it denying the now-retired Murray one last appearance at the All England Club, but Raducanu defended the decision.

Speaking at the time, she said: “It was a very difficult decision.

“Of course, I didn’t want to take his last match away from him. But at the end of the day I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritising their body.”

The mixed doubles at SW19 was not the only event the talented youngster has missed out on this summer, having also turned down the chance to play at the Paris Olympics to avoid risking further injury problems due to the surface on Roland-Garros courts.

But with Raducanu now well on the comeback trail, it appears that some of her bold decisions are now paying off.

And she will no doubt be keen to continue her resurgence by rediscovering her best form at a tournament which holds such fond memories, with the upcoming US Open starting on August 26.