Feel sorry for Emma Raducanu; hope she can find the love of the game: Greg Rusedski
Former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski recently expressed hope for Emma Raducanu to regain her love for tennis and taste success again. Rusedski said that he felt sorry for the talented youngster, particularly in light of her controversial press conference at the Madrid Open.
Raducanu was involved in a tense press conference at Madrid, where she offered very few words in response to the many questions posed to her. The presser was then ended abruptly.
The 20-year-old later revealed she had to withdraw from the tournament owing to a hand injury.
Rusedski defended Raducanu, who he believes did the "hardest thing possible" in tennis by winning the US Open as a qualifier. The former US Open finalist feels Raducanu's feat will never be repeated.
"I am digesting the Emma Raducanu press conference from Madrid and I have to say I feel sorry for her. She did the hardest thing you can possibly do in tennis and win a major from qualifying which we will never see again in our lifetime," Greg Rusedski wrote on Twitter.
Rusedski also claimed Raducanu is unlucky to still not have consistency in her career with regards to her team. He stressed that the British tennis star was not ready for the fame and attention that followed after she won her maiden Grand Slam title as an 18-year-old, and that the pressure of expectations since then has negatively impacted her.
"Yes there has not been a consistent team around her since her victory which is unfortunate , but she was not prepared for global superstardom after winning the Us Open. She has felt too much expectation ever since and pressure. The freedom and joy have unfortunately disappeared," Rusedski said.
He further expressed hope to see Raducanu enjoying tennis again, and predicted that the youngster could end up having a great career if she stayed fit and happy.
"I really hope she can find the love of the game she once had and enjoy her tennis. If she can get healthy ,stay in the moment each day ,each practise , there is no reason she cannot get back to having a great career. Unfortunately too much success, too early can be a very big burden to carry if you are not prepared for it. I really hope she can get back," the former ATP world No. 4 opined.
I am digesting the Emma Raducanu press conference from Madrid and I have to say I feel sorry for her. She did the hardest thing you can possibly do in tennis and win a major from qualifying which we will never see again in our lifetime. Yes there has not been
a consistent team around her since her victory which is unfortunate , but she was not prepared for global superstardom after winning the Us Open .She has felt too much expectation ever since and pressure. The freedom and joy have unfortunately disappeared. I really hope she can
find the love of the game she once had and enjoy her tennis. If she can get healthy ,stay in the moment each day ,each practise , there is no reason she cannot get back to having a great career. Unfortunately too much success, too early can be a very big burden
to carry if you are not prepared for it. I really hope she can get back.
Holger Rune defends Emma Raducanu over press conference drama
Holger Rune also came to Emma Raducanu's defense in light of her Madrid Open press conference.
The Brit was criticized by many after speaking only 58 words in response to 16 questions. But Rune claimed that the only way for one's words to not be taken out of context is to offer very little during interviews, suggesting that Raducanu did the right thing.
"The only way to be sure not to be misunderstood is to give nothing," Rune replied to a post about Emma Raducanu's interview.
Raducanu, currently ranked No. 85, is set to drop out of the top 100 in the WTA rankings due to her Madrid Open withdrawal. She will hope to be fit in time for the Italian Open, which begins on May 9.