In September, Emma Raducanu won an incredible US Open title after coming straight from the qualifications and without dropping a single set in 10 matches. What was particularly remarkable was that the young Brit had virtually no experience at playing at the top level except for her previous run in Wimbledon.
However, Emma did not have great luck in the following 3 tournaments. Raducanu lost in the opening matches in both Indian Wells and Linz. She reached only the quarterfinals in the WTA 250 in Transylvania.
Nevertheless, Emma is very well aware that she is still a work in progress. For this reason, she decided to hire the former coach of Angelique Kerber Torben Beltz.
The Criticism
Emma was taken as a bad example by Eddie Jones, the head coach of the England Rugby national team, who said that distractions are very bad for athletes.
He released the following comment:
“There’s a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn’t done so well afterward. What have you seen her on the front page of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar or whatever it is, wearing Christian Dior clothes. All that is a distraction around her.”
Raducanu’s reply
Emma seems unfazed about the remarks to say that she is very well aware that many people will have lots of different opinions about her.
“I think that many people are going to have opinions of me and what I’m doing. I just know I’m staying focused with a small circle
around me. I have my parents, who would 100 per cent let me know if I was getting swayed. I am very zoned in,” she commented.Emma Raducanu in 2021
Currently ranked no.20 (career-high), the Brit played her last match on the 9th of November when she capitulated to world no.106 Xin Yu Wang 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 in the 2nd round in Linz (draw).
Currently, during this year the Brit has an overall 25-9 win-loss record. Raducanu clinched 1 title at the U.S. Open. Raducanu was the runner-up in the Chicago.
Emma Raducanu |
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