"The worst Grand Slam champion in tennis history, she is really bad at tennis" - Tennis fans pile on Emma Raducanu for disastrous opening-round loss to Alize Cornet at US Open

Emma Raducanu could not have asked for a worse fate at the 2022 US Open, as her bid for a title defense at Flushing Meadows came to an end in the very first round. Taking on giant-killer Alize Cornet, the Brit failed to capitalize on a break she had in the second set and eventually fell 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets.

The World No. 11, surprisingly enough, did not come in as the favorite for the clash, considering her poor run of form this year and Cornet's incredible Slam record for the season. With the loss today, Raducanu has failed to get past the second round at all four Grand Slams in 2022, recording a 3-4 win/loss record in Majors.

The Frenchwoman, meanwhile, added another name to her list of Slam champion victims this season -- Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep at the Australian Open, Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open, Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and now the teenager in New York.

Tennis fans were quick to pile on Raducanu in the aftermath of her defeat, reiterating sentiments from the past like how she was overrated and bound to go down in history as nothing more than a one-Slam wonder. One fan wrote:

"Emma Raducanu [is] the worst Grand Slam champion in tennis history, no question. She is really bad at tennis."

@josemorgado Emma Raducanu the worst grand slam champion in tennis history no question she is really bad at tennis

At the same time, many fans were also understanding of the fact that the teenager was struggling to adapt to the tour in her first full year, noting that this loss shouldn't take anything away from her title run last season. One user tweeted:

"Losing tonight does nothing to erase what Emma Raducanu achieved last year. Forever a legend for that run."

Losing tonight does nothing to erase what Emma Raducanu achieved last year. Forever a legend for that run.

Another fan pointed out that the defeat would ultimately be beneficial for the World No. 11, since she can now focus on rebuilding and not play with the immense pressure that has been on her since the triumph at Flushing Meadows, tweeting:

"The real journey and the fresh clean slate officially begins for Emma Raducanu. That was a wild year. Nice to get that over with. Now time for it to be a more conventional progression. Emma had got to the Major with an elevator & is now ready to climb the stairs."

The real journey and the fresh clean slate officially begins for Emma Raducanu. That was a wild year. Nice to get that over with. Now time for it to be a more conventional progression. Emma had got to the Major with an elevator & is now ready to climb the stairs.

Here are a few more reactions from fans:

Of course that's a disappointing loss for Emma Raducanu to a spirited Alize Cornet, but surely she breathes a big sigh of relief, too.

These past 50 weeks have been so challenging in so many ways. Now she starts anew #usopen

@NickMcCarvel Have been tired of hearing about “all the pressure” on Raducanu.
Makes no sense. Hello... she freakin’ won the US Open!
Surely all the pressure is on those who have yet to break through...
How about world # 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9?
Enjoy this release Emma.

@usopen @alizecornet Alize Cornet played amazing. Hopefully going forward Emma doesn’t feel anymore pressure.

@usopen @alizecornet Emma was done the minute the draw came out, Cornet is too good.

@usopen @EmmaRaducanu Leylah Fernandez should be getting the spotlight that Emma has gotten. Emma has only gotten attention because she has a more marketable look.

The idea that Emma Raducanu's 2021 U.S. Open title is legitimately the most remarkable one-tournament performance in the Open Era has certainly not lost its argumentative weight.

emma raducanu may lose all the next matches of her career but one thing she wont lose are her endorsements and that bank account…i respect that 🫡

Someone's going to make a "didn't drop a set last year, didn't win a set this year!" comment about Emma Raducanu and they're going to think they're a comedic genius for coming up with it.

Lets be honest. Raducanu 🇬🇧 could have defeated many players in this US Open draw, Cornet 🇫🇷 a nightmare draw, a player who loves these one off big matches. Not always consistent in her career but loves these individual Challenges.

Emma Raducanu to fall out of the Top-80 following first-round loss at 2022 US Open

Emma Raducanu will drop out of the Top-80 with her loss to Alize Cornet

Emma Raducanu was defending 2000 ranking points at the 2022 US Open thanks to her run from last year, and this loss will send her tumbling down the rankings without question.

In the live rankings, the teenager currently sits at World No. 80 and is expected to drop even further as other players outdo her at the tournament in the coming days.

Emma Raducanu just lost 2000 ranking points. Her ranking will drop out of the top 80.
Alize Cornet is a tough first round, but Emma has simply not played anywhere near the level she produced last year at the US Open.

#USOpen https://t.co/sAQBW0S6gX

The only silver lining in this debacle that has been the 2022 season for the Brit is that she has barely any points to defend next year, meaning she can come back much stronger in 2023 with enough match practice under her belt.

Also Checkout:- US Open 2022 Schedule