Emma Raducanu: 'I've been burnt a few times'
Emma Raducanu has opened up about the challenges of life after winning the US Open at just 18 years old.
The British tennis star spoke to The Sunday Times about the dark side of sporting success, saying that she has been "burnt a few times" by people who only see her as a "piggy bank".
"When I won I was extremely naive," Raducanu said. "What I have realized in the past two years, the tour and everything that comes with it, it’s not a very nice, trusting and safe space.
"You have to be on guard because there are a lot of sharks out there. I think people in the industry, especially with me because I was 19, now 20, they see me as a piggy bank."
Raducanu won the 2021 US Open in stunning fashion, becoming the first qualifier to win a major. She went on an incredible run throughout the tournament, not dropping a set in nine matches.
However, her success has come at a price. Raducanu has struggled to replicate her form on the tour since winning the US Open, and she has also had to deal with the pressures of fame and celebrity.
"It has been difficult to navigate," she said. "I have been burnt a few times. I have learnt, keep your circle as small as possible."
Raducanu is still only 20 years old, and she has plenty of time to find her feet on the tour. However, she has already learned a valuable lesson about the dark side of success.
"I think it’s important to have a good support system around you," she said. "I’m lucky to have a great team around me, and I’m learning to navigate it all."
It will be interesting to see how Raducanu responds to the challenges she has faced. She has the talent to be a great tennis player, but she will also need to be mentally strong if she is to achieve her goals.