Raducanu Says 'Incredible' Serena Williams 'Definitely Changed The Game'
WTA
Emma Raducanu spoke at the Canadian Open about the effect Serena Williams, who announced her upcoming retirement, has had on women's tennis.
Raducanu lost in the opening round in Toronto to Camila Giorgi. It was her fourth match and second tournament working alongside her new coach, Dimitry Tursunov, who joined her team ahead of the North American hardcourt season.
Last year's US Open champion has had a challenging 2022. Some think the pressure since triumphing at Flushing Meadows as a teenager is the reason, although Raducanu has said she only thinks about pressure when journalists ask about it.
However, if increased expectations are hurting the 19-year-old, Williams is the ideal player to try and emulate. She also dealt with pressure from the media after winning the 1999 US Open as a 17-year-old.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion did not win another major singles title for nearly three years after that but still went on to become arguably the greatest female player in tennis history.
Raducanu did not focus on Williams overcoming early pressure in her comments, though. Instead, she praised the American's longevity, saying it was something she aspired to achieve in her career.
“It's incredible her career. She has achieved so much. And to see her around in this U.S. swing is really inspiring. Like she keeps playing because she obviously loves the game. And I think that longevity of a career is something that a lot of the players and me especially we aspire to achieve as well."
The Briton also thinks Williams changed women's tennis with her dominance over the last twenty years, feeling no one else has dominated like that.
“I think that she definitely changed the game. There's not really been someone who has dominated like her in the women's game. So I think she did change the game a lot in that respect."
