"We welcome Emma to the fandom" - Tennis fans react to Emma Raducanu sporting Rafael Nadal's cap with 'Raging Bull' logo on it
Rafael Nadal is not playing at the 2022 Miami Masters and will be out for 4-6 weeks due to a rib stress fracture, but he is still in the minds of fans and players alike.
Following her second-round loss to Katerina Siniakova, Emma Raducanu turned up to her press conference sporting a hat with the World No. 3's iconic 'Raging Bull' logo on it.
Fans of the 21-time Grand Slam champion immediately took to Twitter to express their delight. They whole-heartedly welcomed the British teenager to the "fandom," with some even praising her "taste" for her choice of headgear.
It should be noted that both Raducanu and the Mallorcan are sponsored by Nike, which is why it was possible for the reigning US Open champion to wear the hat in the first place.
"Emma joins Nadal fandom. Welcome, Emma," one fan posted.
twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
Emma joins Nadal fandom. Welcome Emma 😍 twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
Emma’s a Rafa fan. Looks like she has the early Nike hook up for a new blue/yellow color way twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
"We love a girl with taste," another fan posted.
WE LOVE A GIRL W TASTE twitter.com/SitTanyusha/st…
We welcome Emma to the fandom. twitter.com/SitTanyusha/st…
Emma choosing Rafa in the umpire q&a clip makes so much sense, she's also a Rafan! twitter.com/Sagitarioronch…
Several fans took the photo as proof that the 21-time Grand Slam champion had won over his counterparts in the WTA. With players like Iga Swiatek, Paula Badosa and Daria Saville having publicly declared that the Spaniard is their childhood idol, not many can disagree with that assessment.
"Rafa won WTA," one fan tweeted.
twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
Rafa won WTA 😂 twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
"Iga, Paula, Daria and now Emma! Rafa is the girls' favorite player," another fan tweeted.
@Sagitarioronchi Iga, Paula, Daria, and now Emma! Rafa is the girls’ favorite player 🤍
A few Raducanu fans could not help but hope that some of Nadal's skills and attitude would rub off on the teenager ahead of the clay swing. The first hardcourt swing of the season has gone rather poorly for the World No. 13. In seven matches, Emma Raducanu has won only two and lost five.
Raducanu's losses this year (2-5 in '22):
0-6, 1-6 vs. Rybakina
4-6, 6-4, 3-6 vs. Kovinic
7-5, 6-7(4), 3-4 vs. Saville
7-6(3), 4-6, 5-7 vs. Martic (was leading with a break in the 2nd and 3rd set)
6-3, 4-6, 5-7 vs. Siniakova (was leading with a break in the 2nd and 3rd set)
Having played six tournaments, she has gone past her opener only twice (Australian Open and Indian Wells Open). The Spaniard, on the other hand, has had his best ever start to a year with a 20-1 record in 2022 so far.
"Emma Raducanu entering her Rafa era before clay season? Claycanu incoming!" one user predicted.
Emma Raducanu entering her Rafa era before clay season?
Claycanu incoming! 🔥🔥🔥 twitter.com/sittanyusha/st…
@Bhavya_v2 Inb4 Emma Raducanu is the women's singles champion for Roland Garros '22 🤣
🏼@SitTanyusha Nice cap. Hope some performance and attitude rubs off it to her. 💪🏼
Rafael Nadal sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks due to a stress fracture
While Emma Raducanu will be hoping she can take some inspiration from Rafael Nadal for the upcoming clay swing, the World No. 3 himself will have to wait a while before he steps on to the red clay.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion has been forced to the sidelines for the next 4-6 weeks due to a rare stress fracture to his rib. The injury, sustained during the semi-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, means the Mallorcan will not compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.
After sustaining a rib injury during Indian Wells, Rafa Nadal will be out for the next 4-6 weeks.
Hope to see you back fighting on court soon, @RafaelNadal 💪 https://t.co/Ic0rq7lR8b
The former World No. 1's participation in the Madrid Masters and Rome Masters will be touch-and-go as well. As for his availability at Roland Garros, it is too soon to say at the moment but fans will be hoping Nadal can win a record-extending 22nd Major in Paris.
Also Check Out: Miami Open 2022 Schedule