Emma Raducanu suggests she has learned how to detach and it has been helpful this week in Cincinnati. Followining her stunning 2021 US Open triumph, the enormous pressure and expectation was placed on Raducanu. Raducanu hasn’t won any titles since the US Open and she has been one of the most criticized players this season, often even victim of an unfair criticism.
“I’ve realized in the last year that people are going to talk regardless of what you do, and the things that I do are maybe more amplified because of my situation,” Raducanu said, per Sportskeeda. “I’ve just learned to zone in entirely, like today and yesterday I didn’t show any emotion and I had one level.
I think that helped.”
Raducanu: It’s all a part of the journey
What many forget is that Raducanu is just 19 years old and that she is playing her first full season on the Tour. Raducanu is gaining her first experience and knowledge this season, so her struggles have been somewhat understandable.
“I’m like, ‘You’re going to have a bad year regardless’, so for mine to happen after winning the US Open from qualifying, I think that’s ok,” Raducanu said. “It’s all a part of the journey and I’m learning from it.
I realised that I’ve been high and I’ve been really low, I think that staying one level like I was yesterday and today really helps. This week in Cincinnati, Raducanu claimed two very notable wins. In the first round, Raducanu beat Serena Williams 6-4 6-0.
In her next match, Raducanu beat another former world No. 1 as she ousted Victoria Azarenka 6-0 6-2. “I’m just pleased how I dug in, and serving it out the last game was difficult as well,” Raducanu reflected.
“It was another great honor to play Vika [Victoria Azarenka]. She has won so many championships, Slams so it really was a great opportunity for me to be out here.”
