"Most people are jealous of Emma Raducanu" says Tracy Austin

Friday, 29 April 2022 at 13:00

Updated at Thursday, 20 June 2024 at 14:11

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byZachary Wimer

Emma Raducanu is a sensation in women's tennis after becoming the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam, she also became one of the game's biggest personalities.

The British player seemingly came out of nowhere when she won the US Open in 2021. Prior to that, Raducanu reached also the fourth round of her home Slam at Wimbledon, but she entered the major at Flushing Meadows only through the qualifying, just to sensationally win it a couple of weeks later.

Former WTA world number one Tracy Austin, who won the 1979 US Open at the age of 16, knows all too well the drawbacks of being a success story. The former American player told Raducanu, in a recent interview with Reuters, not to pay attention to what others have to say.

"There's going to be haters everywhere. She's beautiful. She speaks well. She's bright. She's athletic. She's won a major. She's a multi-millionaire. And the problem with that is that most people are going to be jealous. Jealousy with a capital 'J' is evil, so back away from that if you can."

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According to Austin, many people are going to be jealous of Raducanu's success. The former world no. 1 knows what it means to be a success story, and that's why she advised the British star, who recently showed that she could stand by her decision, not to listen to others.

"I'm sure they're intrigued about what people are saying, but stick to your values and keep people around you that have your best interests at heart. I would say to stay off social media as much as possible. Maybe you need it for sponsors so put your stuff out but don't necessarily take stuff in."

Looking on the tennis court, Raducanu will open her 2022 Madrid Open campaign against Tereza Martincova, whom she beat in a Billie Jean King Cup match against the Czech Republic a few weeks ago.

After losing to Iga Swiatek in Stuttgart, the 2021 US Open winner will look to prove her clay-court abilities in Madrid, where she is seeded ninth. In case of victory, she will take on the winner of the match between Marta Kostyuk and Clara Tauson in the second round.