Martina Navratilova said Emma Raducanu “needs to take responsibility for her career” after her first-round loss at the US Open, while the player who has won a record 59 Grand Slam singles and doubles titles answered questions from Sky Sports viewers about Emma, Novak Djokovic and how she would fare in modern tennis.
Did Emma Raducanu and her team make mistakes when preparing for the US Open?
Tina from Tamworth
Martina: “I think Emma needs to take responsibility for herself, her brand and above all her tennis career. She needs to be clear about who her team is, what her goals are and not get complacent.”
“Aryna Sabalenka, when she had problems with her serve and everyone was trying to help her, took responsibility and solved it herself.
“Emma needs to take responsibility and she’s old enough to know what to do – surround herself with good people, trust them and take the time to see the results.”
“Technically she’s great, but she needs more match experience. I don’t think she’s as healthy as she should be yet.”
“If I don’t want to go to the Olympics because the court is different, then I need to fix my body. Maybe it can’t handle this kind of stress.”
“She needs to think long term, not tomorrow or next week.”
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Raducanu was visibly shaken after his first-round loss at the U.S. Open.
After his US Open exit, is it time for Novak Djokovic to retire?
Neil from Sunderland
Martina said: “He got what he really wanted, an Olympic gold medal, but he also wants a 25th medal, because that would be one more than Margaret Court.”
“Time will catch up with him… and maybe it has already caught up with him a little bit, because he really wasn’t his best in his last game.”
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Highlights from the US Open match between Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin
“It depends on how much passion is burning. If the passion is still burning, I would never say ‘you shouldn’t play’ because he never tarnishes his achievements. His achievements are incredible.”
“His wife is probably saying, ‘Let’s stop now. How many more do we need?'”
“Maybe just one more time, but if he wins the Australian Open, I think he’ll want to go to Roland Garros and Wimbledon too, right? He’s not going to give up then.”
“That’s up to him. Either way it’s a great career so you can’t criticise it. I would retire but if he loves it, why not?”
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Tim Henman discusses Djokovic’s withdrawal from the tournament and who could be the Serb’s successor as this year’s champion
Should Rafael Nadal retire or come back to play?
Frank (from Norwich)
Martina: “It depends on how much I want it. If I’m just fighting my body – if I really want to play but it doesn’t allow me – then I’ll just give in.”
Will Rafael Nadal’s Olympic appearance at Roland Garros be the end of his glittering tennis career?
“He’s had an incredible career, a much longer career than we would have expected because of his physical style.”
“He’s had problems with his leg for years. If I lived in Majorca and had the same lifestyle as him, the boat, I think I’d retire.”
How do you think you and Chris Evert would fare in tennis today?
Alan from Wycombe
Martina: “I would have been fine and Chris would have been fine too. We would have been taught differently.”
Martina Navratilova (left) and Chris Evert at Wimbledon, a rivalry that dominated women’s tennis.
“If we played the same way with wooden rackets, we would have no chance of winning. But I would like to see how modern players play with wooden rackets.”
“Golf has evolved. My technique is not what it was when I first got on tour. It’s not what it was 30 years ago.”
“We’re both great tennis players so it’ll be OK and we’ll figure it out.”
Do you think people have a greater appreciation for your career since you retired?
Evie from Inverness
Martina: “I think I was well recognised, but definitely even more so at the end of my career.
“I remember at Wimbledon I hit a shot off the post and the crowd on Centre Court said, ‘Wow, nice shot’. At the end of my career I was getting standing ovations just for serving!”
“For most of my career I felt like I was on the visiting team, like Novak Djokovic, but it was even tougher.”
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Teddy Draper explains why 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic doesn’t get the same love and recognition as other tennis legends.
“At the end of my career I had the support of the crowd in a way, but I think they were a bit sorry that I was getting older.”
What is your favorite Grand Slam tournament of all time and what is your favorite match?
Tom from London
Martina: “I don’t have a favourite match. It’s impossible to choose.”
“Winning Wimbledon for the first time was the happiest moment of my life. Wimbledon has always been my favourite Grand Slam tournament.”
The view from the commentary booth at Centre Court at Wimbledon
“When I was a kid, I wasn’t sure if I could play perfectly on grass courts, but Wimbledon was the greatest tournament and I always wanted to win it.
“The history is palpable. You can feel it. It was a real honour to play at Wimbledon and I still smile every time I walk through the gates.”
What’s on Sky Sports Tennis in September?
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See all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP Tour, WTA Tour and more.
Jasmine Open, Tunisia – WTA 250 (September 9-15)Guadalajara Open, Mexico – WTA 500 (September 9-15)Korea Open – WTA 500 (September 16-22 – featuring Emma Raducanu)Thailand Open – WTA 250 (September 16-22)Chengdu Open, China – ATP 250 (September 18-24)Hangzhou Open, China – ATP 250 (September 18-24)China Open – WTA 1000 (September 25-October 6)Japan Open – ATP 500 (September 25-October 1)China Open – ATP 500 (September 26 – October 2)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers over 50% more live sport to watch this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
