Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has spoken openly about her physical and mental struggles since her historic victory.

She revealed her difficulties in dealing with both the physical pain and the mental side of the sport. Raducanu shared, “I always want to put forward the best version of myself… but I knew I couldn’t.” The 20-year-old tennis star has faced several setbacks, including injuries and coaching changes, which have impacted her performance.

Raducanu expressed her attachment of self-worth to her achievements, saying, “If I lost a match, I would be really down… I feel things so passionately and intensely.” Since her remarkable US Open win, she has faced challenges on the court, with her ranking dropping from 10th to 128th. Injuries have hindered her progress, causing her to miss important tournaments like the French Open and Wimbledon.

Reflecting on her US Open victory, Raducanu said, “Sometimes I think to myself, ‘I wish I’d never won the US Open, I wish that didn’t happen’.” However, she reminded herself of the pure and powerful emotions she felt on that day and the promise she made to herself. Despite setbacks, she remains resilient and determined to overcome her obstacles.
Raducanu also discussed the challenges of navigating the tennis industry and her need to mature quickly. She acknowledged the pitfalls of fame, highlighting that she has learned to keep her circle small to avoid being taken advantage of. Raducanu stated, “I think people in the industry… see me as a piggy bank.” Despite the difficulties, she remains committed to her passion for tennis and continues to grow both personally and professionally.

In her inspiring journey, Emma Raducanu has experienced the highs of success and the lows of setbacks. Through her struggles, she maintains her resilience and determination to overcome challenges, demonstrating the strength of her character both on and off the court.