Emma Raducanu's tight-lipped media day appearance at the Madrid Open left many puzzled, as she responded to sixteen questions with only 58 words in total.
Facing the press sometimes isn't easy and tennis players are only human beings too. Only two years ago, Naomi Osaka elected not to participate in the press conferences at the Roland Garros as she wanted to highlight the importance of athletes' mental health.
One of the players that is also always under the spotlight is the British no. 1, Emma Raducanu. The Brit often faces many more questions than her colleagues on the WTA Tour, and it's important to mention that most often those questions aren't really positive.
Now, at the 2023 Madrid Open's designated media day, where players discuss the upcoming tournament, Raducanu seemed reluctant to engage in conversation. The Brit, known for her intelligence and articulate nature, offered brief answers to the questions posed by the two UK writers present.
The awkward encounter, lasting less than three minutes, left many wondering whether the pressure of defending her top 100 status and recent losing streak had taken its toll on Raducanu.
Twelve months ago, Raducanu was eager to discuss her first full clay court season on the main tour, following her astonishing victory at the 2021 US Open. However, her recent run of three straight defeats, dating back to Indian Wells six weeks ago, may have tested her resilience.
The Madrid Open is an important tournament for Raducanu, as she could lose 110 of her 740 rankings points with a first-round defeat and drop out of the Top 100, potentially impacting her Wimbledon participation.
During the press conference, gentle questions about her physical state and attempts to discuss the success of compatriot Jodie Burrage were met with very short answers.
The contrast between Raducanu's enthusiastic engagement in previous media interactions and her current reticence has left many speculating on the reasons behind this change as many wonder if it's a message that she's trying to send to the press.
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