Martina Navratilova says Emma Raducanu needs to ‘take ownership of her tennis career’ following her first-round defeat at the US Open.

It was another blow to the Brit who has struggled with injuries and poor form since breaking onto the scene by winning the US Open in 2021.

Tennis legend Navratilova argues that Raducanu is not as fit as she should be and focus should be on the long-term.

“I think Emma needs to take ownership of herself, of her brand, and of her tennis career most of all,” Navratilova told Sky Sports. “She needs to be clear who her team is, what her goal is and not let herself off the hook.

“Aryna Sabalenka, when she had problems with her serve and everybody was trying to help her, she took ownership of it and fixed it herself.

“Emma needs to be in charge and she’s old enough to know what she should be doing – surround herself with good people and then trust in them, and give it time so that you can see the results.

“Technically she is great, but she needs more matchplay. I still don’t think she is as fit as she should be.

“I feel like if you don’t want to play the Olympics because it’s a different surface, you need to fix your body. Maybe it’s just not equipped for this kind of stress

“She needs to think long-term… not tomorrow or next week.”

Prior to her US Open loss, Raducanu had not played a match for almost a month when she lost to Paula Badosa in Washington.

The 21-year-old has often come under fire for not entering tournaments, compounded by her decision not to play at Toronto and Cincinnati in the lead up to the US Open

Raducanu also pulled out of the Paris Olympics, citing demands of changing the surface to clay posing a risk to her body following a string of injuries.

Her lack of action has done nothing to help her WTA ranking which sees the Brit currently sit 73rd in the world

Raducanu also pulled out of the Paris Olympics, citing demands of changing the surface to clay posing a risk to her body following a string of injuries.

Her lack of action has done nothing to help her WTA ranking which sees the Brit currently sit 73rd in the world.