Andrew Castle believes Jack Draper could struggle at the US Open and has fired a sack warning to Emma Raducanu’s new coach Francis Roig.
Draper and Raducanu, the British No.1s in men’s singles and women’s singles respectively, are hoping to enjoy deep runs at Flushing Meadows.
The fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year gets underway on Sunday with Draper reaching the semi-finals in 2024.
British tennis pundit and former player Castle feels Draper, ranked world No.5, faces a difficult task to progress that far in New York this year.
Castle has also warned Rafael Nadal’s former No.2 coach Roig that he may not last long in Raducanu’s camp despite the pair only recently linking up.
Castle: I’m worried about Draper
Draper has not played a singles match since Wimbledon because of an arm injury but did return to play the US Open mixed doubles with Jessica Pegula at Flushing Meadows over Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively to Metro about Draper’s chances in New York this year, Castle said: ‘I’m worried about Jack [due to his injury] – what has he got? What’s wrong with him? Is it a stress fracture?
‘That’s a pretty significant injury. If you have no matches between big tournaments, it doesn’t bode well for a deep runner, I have to be frank.
‘He’s a tough, physical animal, but he’s definitely hampered by not having had matches. I mean, that’s what you want, is to step up to the line and the biggest moments and know that you’re going to serve it out.
‘Being 5-4 up and on serve and going bang, I’m going through you. That sort of stuff is what Jack was doing, like at Indian Wells.
‘He was amazing in Australia to win those three five-set matches in a row having not played. He’s an unbelievable player, but I would suspect that it’s going to be very, very difficult to match what he did last year.
‘Now, I mean, he might, but the odds have to be stacked against him.’
Castle fires warning to Raducanu’s coach
Quizzed about Raducanu’s coaching partnership with Roig and if he could help take her game to the next level, Castle added: ‘Look, as soon as you say something good about an Emma Raducanu’s coach, they’re gone by the weekend.
‘I have absolutely no idea what the long term. I mean, I hope it would be great to be long term, but long term in coaching Emma isn’t very long. A couple of them from the old days, Nick Cavaday etc, they lasted a few years.
‘But since been turning professional, I’d say that’s a pretty insecure job. I have no idea how long this bloke is going to be around, but I was around playing when he was around, and I had no idea that he was ever going to go in a coaching direction.
‘It can’t have been a bad thing hanging around with the Rafael Nadal camp and being a part of the coaching programme for one of the greats. I mean, that tells you a lot.
‘Let’s be honest, you’re dealing with some pretty significant raw material when you’ve got Rafa. But I mean, of course, to be around that setup and to see the detail and to watch the work, that is fantastic.
‘He brings a wealth of experience. I suspect that he’s really looking forward to this himself, because I think with Raducanu, you’ve got unbelievable raw material.
‘I mean, she’s not raw, but that’s pretty exciting. As soon as we talk about this, though, he’ll probably be gone but I hope not.’
Castle: Draper a ‘long way off’ Murray levels
Asked if Draper had any extra motivation for the US Open after a disappointing second-round exit to Marin Cilic, Castle said: ‘I don’t think it’s extra motivation. I don’t think he needs any extra motivation.
‘This guy is absolutely wound up and ready to succeed. I mean, nothing has changed. You play one bad match, or you play one match where an opponent gets inspired, you hit the net, all of it is just experience that goes in the system.
‘It was actually a wake-up call… For all the highs, there are normally some corresponding lows and you rise, and Jack has done the classic thing of the brilliant young player who has flown up and now there could be a year or two where it’s just do the work, do the work, do the work.
‘He’s going to get his highlights and if he stays injury free, we’re going to see him go deep into second weeks of Slams for a long time. He’s a long way off from being Andy Murray yet.’
Castle: Raducanu should aim for second week
Speaking about Raducanu’s chances of a deep run, Castle continued: ‘Her actual ranking is No.35 but I see her as top 20 in the world and that’s a very, very high level.
‘In two years’ time, I can see her being a top 10 player. I think that there’s only six or seven players who are, most days better than her. I think she’ll put herself in the frame for a big week or two at a Grand Slam sooner rather than later.
‘Second week [should be her aim for Flushing Meadows]. There’s nothing wrong with her going out of the third round of a Grand Slam, but if you’re seeded and you don’t win a couple of rounds, it hasn’t been great.
‘Let’s be honest, somebody can play great against you, it’s a random thing, but for her, and the matches that she’s won and she’s played, returning to a venue that she adores, I hope she has a great time, I would love to see her win.
‘To win three rounds and get into the last 16 of a Slam is a serious achievement. She knows she can do it, she’s done it before so I would say second week minimum.’
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