“I’ve been knocked down every single week literally in front of everyone,” Emma Raducanu talks about the hardships she faced after her US Open triumph


“I’ve been knocked down every single week literally in front of everyone,” Emma Raducanu talks about the hardships she faced after her US Open triumph

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu scripted history last year at Flushing Meadows by becoming the first-ever qualifier in tennis history to win a grand slam. She won the US Open without dropping a single set and won the tournament on debut. She became an overnight sensation after winning the tournament and was projected as the next big thing in women’s tennis.

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But Raducanu has underperformed massively since winning the title and is getting consistently knocked out of the early rounds. In fact, she has managed to reach the quarterfinals only twice- in couple of WTA 250 events. She will start her North American swing this week at the Citi Open in Washington as the second seed.

Ahead of the tournament, she spoke about her US Open triumph in the press conference and reflected back on the hardships she faced. She said that barring the US Open, her results weren’t that bad for an 18-year-old rookie on tour and said that she has to take a step back and give herself a pat on the back. She has been knocked out every week but had the courage to come back stronger.

“Yeah, I would say that, take away the US Open, the results I’ve had in the past year wouldn’t have been terrible for any 18-, 19-year-old,” Raducanu said. “I have to take a step back and give myself a pat on the back, as well. I’ve learned that I’m pretty resilient. I’ve pretty much been knocked down every single week literally in front of everyone, get back up every single time.”

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‘This year was always going to be pretty tricky’: Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu at the French Open 2022

Raducanu admitted that this year was going to be tricky since she was very new to this level. She skipped every stage after the US Open triumph and hence it was difficult for her to adapt to things.

“This year was always going to be pretty tricky, trying to find my feet at this sort of level, ” Raducanu said. “I skipped every stage basically. I went from playing a few 25s to playing the top 10 or playing the slams and everything. Still managed to win a round or two in some bigger events. I’m quite proud of myself in that way.”

She will face lucky loser Louisa Chirico in the opening round at Washington on Tuesday after Marie Bouzkova pulled out at the last moment after winning the Prague Open.

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