'I see a lot of positive things for her' - Tim Henman excited by Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu potential

Published 12/01/2024 at 12:01 GMT

Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Jack Draper will all be competing at the Australian Open this month. Eurosport expert Tim Henman has given his view on Raducanu's return to tennis and how she might fare at the Grand Slam. He has also explained why Boulter has "taken her game to the next level" and why he expects Draper to have a "big year" in 2024.

'I see positive things for her in 2024' - Henman excited for Raducanu, Boulter futures

Tim Henman is excited for what’s ahead in 2024 for British trio Emma Raducanu, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter after positive starts to the season.

Raducanu showed encouraging signs in her first tournament in eight months as she won her opening match in Auckland and then pushed eventual runner-up Elina Svitolina to three sets.

Although she has since pulled out of two exhibition matches ahead of the Australian Open, Eurosport expert Henman believes she is “building a foundation” after several injury-disrupted years.

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“With Raducanu it’s more steps,” said Henman about the 2021 US Open winner, who faces Shelby Rogers in the first round in Melbourne.

“I think when you take a step back and actually look at how little tennis she's played in her whole career, she's still massively inexperienced. But it was good to see her play two matches in Auckland. I thought her level was excellent.

“And again, it's more about the physical resilience, and can she build up the sort of confidence and the physicality in her body so that she can play week in, week out, and not have setbacks physically and not get those injuries? Because that just disrupts your momentum.

“Raducanu is a very good tennis player. She now is hopefully building that foundation to do herself justice so that she doesn't get injured.”

British No. 1 Boulter recorded two impressive wins at the United Cup over Ajla Tomljanovic and world No. 5 Jessica Pegula.

Boulter is at No. 57 in the world rankings and will be hoping for a good run at the Australian Open, where she hasn’t made the second round since 2019.

If she reaches the third round then she could face Raducanu.

“I think Boulter has really shown that she's taken her game to the next level,” said Henman.

“She played very well at the United Cup and got that first top-five win against Pegula. I see a lot of positive things for her in 2024.

“She's had a few setbacks in the past, but I really like the way she plays and she's got a big game. She's got weapons and I think she thrives on the big stage.

“So getting into these big tournaments now, there are a lot of opportunities for her.”

Katie Boulter at the United Cup

Image credit: Getty Images

Draper has started his season in impressive style in Adelaide this week.

He took out fifth seed Sebastian Baez in the first round, then saved a match point to overcome Miomir Kecmanovic, before beating top seed Tommy Paul in straight sets.

Draper has said he hopes to end the season inside the top 20 – he is currently at No. 62 in the world – and Henman thinks he can have a “big year”.

“I sort of feel like I've been saying Jack's name for quite some time and he's put in some great work at the end of last year,” he said.

Draper demolishes top seed Paul to reach Adelaide semi-finals

“He had a lot of setbacks in 2023, but the training, the physical work he did and then the way that he played, winning a Challenger and making the final of a tour event right at the end of last year did wonders for his ranking and his confidence.

“He's made a good start in Adelaide and I think 2024 can be a really big year for him.”

The Australian Open starts on Sunday, January 14.

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