Emma Raducanu, the young tennis star, is no stranger to critics who label her a “one-slam wonder.” Many have questioned if her career has peaked with just one Grand Slam trophy to her name. At just 20, she has already joined a select group of esteemed players like Carolina Wozniacki, Jana Novotna, and Jelena Ostapenko, all of whom achieved remarkable success with just a single Major win.
Despite the scrutiny she has faced following her 2021 US Open victory and her subsequent injury issues that required multiple surgeries, Raducanu remains undeterred. Her agent, Max Eisenbud, reminds everyone that winning a Grand Slam, as Raducanu did, is no easy feat. He asserts, “You don’t just accidentally win the US Open as she did.”
Despite the criticism and setbacks that Raducanu has already faced in her young career, she doesn’t feel discouraged. Raducanu’s great strength is her ability to take them on the chin. She boldly states, “The fact they are still talking about me even though I’m not at these events is just a compliment. Someone told me to worry when they are not talking about you.”
Emma Raducanu says the fact that her critics are still talking about her is a compliment:
“Next season I’ll be back. The fact they are still talking about me even though I’m not at these events is just a compliment. Someone told me ‘worry when they are not talking about you.’”… pic.twitter.com/I2QuI0n1cg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 20, 2023
Eisenbud laments the lack of recognition in the British media for Raducanu’s incredible achievement, stating, “I don’t think there will ever be a Grand Slam champion who goes to regular school, so I think that story was a miss.” Nevertheless, Emma Raducanu and her team remain confident in their pursuit of achieving more success in the future, which is simply the best way to shut your naysayers.
The ultimate dream of Emma Raducanu keeps her motivated, despite setbacks
Emma Raducanu has fallen outside the top 200, for the first time in two years. At the beginning of the season, Raducanu was ranked No. 78 in the world, but her ranking dropped due to her limited participation in just five tournaments in 2023, where she mostly played while injured. Raducanu underwent three bone surgeries on her wrist and ankle in May this year.
However, amid her injury setbacks, Emma Raducanu has made her “ultimate dream” crystal clear. The 2021 US Open champion has always held the aspiration of winning her home Grand Slam tournament which is close to her heart since childhood. She says, “Wimbledon is the dream and always has been growing up. It’s still the ultimate dream to win Wimbledon.”
The moment @EmmaRaducanu became the youngest British woman to reach the fourth round at #Wimbledon in the Open era 👏 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/SUxODx6VIo
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2021
Notably, Raducanu’s remarkable ascent to fame as a tennis prodigy came when as a wildcard entrant, she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon. After that, her triumph at the 2021 US Open came as a qualifier, where she clinched the title without dropping a single set on her way to victory! The feat speaks volumes of her amazing talent, unquenching desire, and mental strength.
