Agassi Urges Raducanu to Embrace Current Form over External Noise

Emma Raducanu is reading Andre Agassi's 2009 autobiography to find her way back to the top. The British player, currently ranked 98th, seeks inspiration from the American legend's journey through professional slumps.

Five years have passed since the 18-year-old became the first qualifier in the Open era to win the US Open. Now 23, she faces a different challenge: physical pain and a dip in form that demands a mental reset.

Lessons from a past slump

Agassi hit rock bottom in the late 1990s. He dropped to 141st in the world rankings and went four years without a major title. For Raducanu, that period offers a blueprint for recovery.

She found his account of creating his own training regimen particularly relatable. It showed how he rebuilt his game from the ground up. The book speaks to the lows that often follow early success.

Advice for the modern player

Agassi told BBC Breakfast that his hope was always to help others. He wants players to know they are not alone in their struggles. It is comforting to hear that his words still land 17 years later.

His core advice is simple. Focus on being the best version of yourself daily. Do not judge your worth by results or the expectation of perfection. Learn to be 100% of whatever percentage you are currently at.

He warns against letting external voices define your identity. In his day, he could put down the newspaper and ignore the noise. Today, it is harder for young athletes to avoid the constant stream of opinion.

Recovering from physical setbacks

Raducanu’s path back is blocked by physical issues. She missed the US Open while recovering from a stress fracture in her lower right leg. A foot injury and a post-viral illness also disrupted her year.

Despite the pain, she had a strong week at Queen's Club in June. She reached her biggest final since New York. That performance proves her game is still sharp, even if her ranking has slipped.