Raducanu Admits She Learned 'There Are Sharks That See Her As Piggy Bank'

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 at 04:05

byAlfredo Bassanelli

Emma Raducanu was very young when she won the US Open and in her own words rather naive about the WTA Tour.

Emma Raducanu is now only a few months away from the two-year anniversary of her iconic US Open run. Many thought it would be the springboard for her career and in many ways it was but her tennis career didn't go that far since then.

Injuries are mostly to blame as Raducanu spent the majority of her time since winning the US Open away from the game. The Brit is currently away from tennis once more after undergoing triple surgery for her injuries earlier this year. The return date is not known but it's expected that she will likely come back in the final quarter of this year.

When it comes to things that are not related to tennis, Raducanu has flourished with many brand deals becoming possible. However, it only works if you play tennis as she recently found out. Another thing she found out since turning pro is the way the Tour really is. It's not the most safe space as Raducanu put it in a recent interview with The Sunday Times.

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When I won I was extremely naive. What I have realised in the past two years, the tour and everything that comes with it, it’s not a very nice, trusting and safe space.

— Raducanu on becoming a pro<br>

It's unclear what Raducanu is referring to specifically but it makes sense. It's a sport filled with super-competitive people who are all fighting for the same things, things that are not in abundance as there are only 4 Grand Slams every year.

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. It has been difficult to navigate. I have been burnt a few times. I have learnt, keep your circle as small as possible.

— Raducanu on Tour life<br>

She also spoke about her personality which she finds obsessive at times. It's not something she's too happy about but she's trying to change it and it will come with time. She's still fairly young and some things take time.

I have an obsessive personality in that I fixate on something and I need to get it. I’ve been very high and very low, I’ve never really had this equilibrium, which is what I am striving for.