Away from the pitch, US Open winner Emma Raducanu is still going according to plan. The sponsors are lining up, their number of followers is exploding, their popularity is unbroken. But sporty things have been going downhill for the Briton for months.
On Thursday evening (CET) it was the next low blow for Emma Raducanu. With 6: 3, 4: 6 and 5: 7 she lost in the first round of the WTA tournament in Miami to the Czech Katerina Siniakova, number 53 in the world. The 19-year-old served once again to win the match. But as in the two previous tournaments, this advantage was not enough for her victory this time either.
Raducanu’s record in recent months has been devastating: since the sensational US Open triumph last year, she has lost eight of twelve matches, and in 2022 she only won twice. Only thanks to the points from Flushing Meadows is the Brit still in the top 15 in the world rankings. The trend is falling.
Respect for Raducanu ‘gradually disappearing’
The reasons for their crisis are intensely puzzling. Quite a few accuse her of focusing too much on business and too little on sport. This fits into the picture: Just a few days ago, Raducanu announced its cooperation with the sports car manufacturer Porsche. After brands like Tiffany & Co., Dior, Evian and Nike, the next well-known global sponsor she promotes.
It can only be speculated whether their commitments off the field are the reason for the sporting descent. It is obvious, however, that the series of defeats has left its mark on the 19-year-old. This hasn’t escaped the notice of Raducanu’s opponents either.
“The respect she earned in the locker room during the US Open is gradually disappearing,” said former professional player Daniela Hantuchova after Raducanu’s bankruptcy in Miami. The Briton now has to collect herself, think about it and then work on the training ground: “There’s no way around it. She has to work hard now.”
In the eyes of Tim Henman, another factor played a role in the recent Raducanu bankruptcy: “The truth is: All the big points and all the important games that she won in New York she didn’t win here. That’s why It’s such a brutal sport. It’s a massive learning curve for them now.” The defeat in Miami was “incredibly hard” for the 19-year-old, said the ex-professional.
Another part of the truth is: Raducanu keeps suffering from health setbacks. Her preparation for the season was interrupted by a corona infection, in February she suffered a leg injury and had to cancel her start in Mexico, among other things.
All of this disrupts her quest for the rhythm she desperately needs to get back on track – and win back the respect of her opponents.
