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Emma Raducanu has ‘an opportunity to challenge’ for the 2025 Australian Open title if two things happen at Melbourne Park, says Mark Petchey.

The Grand Slam tennis tournament takes place Down Under next month, with the Australian Open main draw getting underway on January 12.

Raducanu showcased her ability to beat the best players in women’s tennis in 2024, producing her first two career wins over top-10 opponents.

But the 22-year-old British star still hasn’t won a title on the WTA Tour since her incredible major triumph at the US Open as a qualifier back in 2021.

Raducanu suffered huge injury problems in 2022 and 2023 but has since undergone triple surgery, with 2024 a season of rebuilding for the Briton.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Andy Murray’s former coach and tennis commentator Petchey says it is not ‘beyond the realms of possibility’ that Raducanu could clinch her second major title at the Australian Open.

Two things must happen for Raducanu to get the job done in Melbourne.

Firstly, she must stay healthy, and secondly, she needs a favourable draw.

‘I’ll never limit her potential,’ Petchey told Betway about Raducanu, who is currently ranked world No.59 but held the world No.10 spot in 2022.

‘I genuinely believe she’ll win multiple majors before the end of her career.

I think it’s a stretch to say that she could win the Australian Open, but I also don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility.

‘All I know is that if she’s been healthy and she’s got enough matches under her belt heading into Australia and she gets a favourable draw she’ll have an opportunity to challenge for the title.

‘Obviously, a more realistic goal right now would be reaching the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.’

After a strong finish to 2024, Petchey has also warned Raducanu that can’t afford to keep dipping in and out of tennis as he added ‘There has to be a commitment to week-in-week out- tournaments.

The dipping in and out doesn’t help the physical side of things.

‘I want her to have longevity in the sport.

I don’t want her out of the sport at 26 or 27.

Her team should be looking at how they manage her from here on in for another fifteen years of playing this sport if that’s what she wants to do.

I think she’s well placed to do that.’