“I think defending a title is just something the press makes up” - says Emma Raducanu

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Heading into her US Open title defence Emma Raducanu is not considering ranking points or pressure, believing that the media is more fixated on it than she is.

When she won the US Open as a qualifier a year ago, Raducanu stunned the tennis world, but as she prepares to defend her championship, she won't acknowledge its significance.

“I think you guys are thinking probably more about pressure and ranking than me" Raducanu told reporters adding further:

“I think defending a title is just something that the press makes up. 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.”

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In her first full season as a professional tennis player, Raducanu finds the differences to be fascinating. She is always surrounded by more people than she was the previous year, and she is aware of this.

"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.”

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