Raducanu Finds Guidance in Agassi's Autobiography

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has found valuable insights in Andre Agassi's 2009 autobiography as she navigates her own path back to the top of women's tennis. Raducanu, who won her Grand Slam title at 18 as a qualifier, identified with Agassi's experiences during challenging periods in his career.

"I was especially intrigued by the passage where he got out of his slump in the late 1990s by creating his own training regimen and finding his way back to the top," Raducanu told Uniqlo, referencing Agassi's struggles after a period without major titles, where his ranking dropped to 141st.

Agassi, an eight-time major singles champion, expressed his satisfaction that his autobiography continues to resonate with athletes years later. "It was literally the hope that if one person read it and it gave them hope, some tools to understand that they're not alone, they can figure it out and get to a healthier place without having to direct their frustrations at the game of tennis, then it was a success for me," Agassi told BBC Breakfast. "So, hearing that 17 years later it can still impact somebody, especially in this game, it does make me feel good."

Raducanu, 23, has seen her ranking fall to 98th from a career-high of 10 in July 2022. Her progress has been hindered by injuries, including a recent absence from the US Open due to a stress fracture in her right leg. Earlier in the year, a foot injury and a post-viral illness kept her off court for two and a half months. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu reached her first major final since her US Open win in June at Queen's Club.

Agassi offered advice for Raducanu, emphasizing self-acceptance and a focus on daily improvement rather than solely on results. "I would encourage her to focus on being the best of herself on a daily basis, but don't judge that by results or thinking that somehow you have to be 100%," Agassi said. "You have to learn to be 100% of whatever percent you're at [and] be comfortable in your own identity inside of that - not what people say."

He also touched upon the pressures faced by young athletes, recalling his own experience of playing with "fear" due to his father's expectations. Agassi found greater success after reconnecting with the sport on his own terms, following a period of significant struggle. "The first thing I would advise a parent to think about is that it's not their life, it's their child," Agassi stated. "You raise a child in their way and they'll never depart from it. You just have to find out what their way is."

Agassi is set to captain Team USA in the upcoming Laver Cup in London. He anticipates a high level of competition, noting the commitment of players to participate in the event. "Tennis is a hamster wheel of sorts - the fact that these guys make room in their schedule to play this incredible event tells you how great this event is," Agassi said.