“I think defending a title is just something the press makes up” - says Emma Raducanu
WTA
Emma Raducanu spoke about the pressure of defending her first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open, and she completely dismissed it.
In 2021, Raducanu stunned the tennis world when she lifted her maiden major trophy at the US Open. She entered the tournament as a qualifier, and three weeks later, she lifted the trophy without losing a set.
She became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title, and her run was truly sensational. Since then, Raducanu has been in the spotlight, even though she failed to back up that one big result.
Now, 52 weeks later, she's back in New York to defend her title. Although she won't be one of the top favorites, she wasn't last year either, and she still won the trophy.
Ahead of the tournament, Raducanu was asked about the title defense, and she admitted that it's not the way she thinks, saying only the press asks about pressure and rankings.
"I think you guys are thinking probably more about pressure and ranking than me. I think defending a title is just something that the press makes up."
Raducanu wants to take the 2022 US Open, which starts on August 29th, one match at a time, which is the same approach that she had also last year.
"I’m just taking it one match at a time. Like, every single player is very capable in this draw. I just focus on what I’m doing, my own trajectory. As I said last year, I’m just going to do things my way."
Raducanu also reflected on what changed in a year since she won the US Open. The British player admitted that while previously she was unknown to most, now everyone knows her, so it's challenging to stay alone.
"The biggest (change), I think, maybe, like, a lot of people around. That’s probably one thing that’s changed. Before I could do whatever I wanted, be left to it. I think that now more so, like, there’s a lot of people around me at all times."
"It’s something that just comes with what I do. I think I adjusted to it throughout the year. But it’s part of the sport, part of what I do. Yeah, no complaints."
