"It was expected that she was going to be criticised on everything" - Kartal on Raducanu
WTA
Emma Raducanu has been in the spotlight since her 2021 US Open triumph, and her colleague from the British team, Sonay Kartal, thinks it was expected.
Raducanu is closely followed everywhere she goes, and everything she does is discussed, including her coaching changes. However, that could change in 2023. Raducanu experienced a major drop in the WTA Rankings after failing to defend her US Open trophy, and she shouldn't experience as much pressure as last season.
Her teammate from the British Billie Jean King Cup team, Sonay Kartal, recently spoke to the British publication Express Sport, and she also discussed her compatriot.
According to Kartal, it was expected that Raducanu would face criticism and be followed 24/7 after her incredible achievement in New York.
"I think given what [Emma Raducanu] has done, it was kind of expected that she was going to be criticized on everything. But I think she’s just going to become used to it and used to having people look at her 24/7 trying to pick something out."
Kartal thinks that having the spotlight and receiving criticism is just a part of being good. Raducanu is expected to perform well because she managed to do that before, and anytime she fails to meet those expectations, she faces some criticism.
"It’s a part of the sport isn’t it, it’s a part of anything. So it’s just unfortunately one of the factors of being a top tennis player. I think obviously, with what she’s done she’s obviously now in the spotlight and I think being so young, it’s probably something that she hasn’t really had the cameras on her like she does now."
"I think it’s definitely tough for her and everything she does, there’s an opinion on. I’ve seen her team, I know she’s got really good people around her that are helping her, supporting her."
