“Defending a title is just something that the press makes up!” Emma Raducanu SLAMS the media for unnecessarily pressuring her ahead of the US Open
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Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu had had a roller-coaster ride in the last 12 months and now, her life seems to have come to a full circle. Last year, she stunned the world by becoming the first ever tennis player to win a grand slam title as a qualifier. She then defeated Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final to win her maiden tour title- a grand slam, without dropping a single set.
Ever since then, she became an overnight sensation and was hyped to be the next big thing in women’s tennis. But it will not be an understatement in saying that she has massively underperformed on the tour level over the last one year. Her best results were two quarterfinal outings in a couple of WTA 250 events.
She is now back in New York to defend her US Open title. In the pre-tournament press conference, Raducanu once again addressed the question of having pressure as the defending champion. But this time, she didn’t hold back and slammed the media for creating unnecessary pressure scenarios.
Raducanu said that the media is thinking more about pressure and ranking than her. She added that ‘title defense’ is a notion that the press makes up as she’s thinking about one match at a time. She said that she’s solely going to focus on her own trajectory.
“I think you’re thinking more about pressure and ranking than me. Defending a title is just something that the press makes up. I’m just taking it one match at a time. Every player is very capable in this draw. I just focus on what I’m doing, my own trajectory,” Raducanu said.
Emma Raducanu to start her title defense against Alize Cornet
Raducanu will begin her US Open campaign against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet. The matchup will not at all be easy for the defending champion given Cornet’s unpredictable nature and giant-killing ability. If Emma wins, she is then expected to face Katerina Siniakova in the second round and either Danielle Collins or Naomi Osaka in the third round. In the Round of 16, she could face Aryna Sabalenka and then is drawn to face Paula Badosa in the last 4. The title defense for Raducanu will not at all be easy and she’ll have to play out of her skin to do it.
Also Read: Pam Shriver elated to see Serena Williams draw “out of form” Danka Kovinic in the US Open 1st round
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Lakshya Chopra
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