Emma Raducanu made history for British tennis a few years ago, yet the complaints about her don't stop coming.
Criticism is somewhat normal when done with the right intentions, but when it comes to Raducanu, it's been rather malicious most of the time, The Brit made history for her country by winning the US Open a few years ago, and yet the criticism rarely stops.
Her play admittedly hasn't been very good since then, and she's missed time with injury, but none of that warrants the amount of criticism coming through.
It's why former player Andy Roddick had to say something on his 'Serve with Andy Roddick' podcast. He defended the Brit over claims that she prioritizes other things like partying over tennis.
"Last week, I saw some British rag, ‘Emma Raducanu at a party two days before she plays her first round.’ One – she’s a wild card. If you’re a wild card it’s like, I’m asking you for a direct entry into a tournament, which your ranking does not get you into. But whenever you get a wild card for the history of time, you have to give something back to the tournament."
The comment came after Raducanu was pictured attending an event in Dubai prior to her participation at the 2024 Qatar Open in Doha, which Roddick pointed out might have to do with being a wild card.
As a professional tennis player, the American certainly has more insights into what is involved in receiving one, and that's why he detailed it to his listeners.
"Normally it’s like, I’m not a name, I haven’t won the US Open at that point, so I’m participating in clinics or I’m hitting with a sponsor’s kid... or who knows what it might actually be. They’re like, she’s out partying."
"I’m like, no. She went to an appearance that was probably the reason why she… Maybe I’m projecting here but it’s not out of bounds. She went to this thing, took a picture sitting down, no drink in the hand, no nothing. Party? The headline’s impossible!"
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