Floundering Emma wary of sharks in the WTA waters

Emma Raducanu has confessed that she sometimes wishes she had never won the US Open title two years ago as the accomplishment exposed her to the seamy underside of WTA Tour life.

“Sometimes I wish I had never won the US Open,” she told London’s Sunday Times. 

 “Since (her Grand Slam title from a qualifying start) I’ve had many setbacks, one after another. 

“I’m resilient, my tolerance is high, but it’s not easy. When I lost a match I would get depressed. I was under a lot of pressure to perform. 

“I am very young and I keep learning and making mistakes. It is much harder when you do it in front of the whole world.”

Since her miracle in New York, Raducanu has won just four matches from five played at the majors.

She is currently recovering from double wrist surgery and an operation on a knee; the 20-year-old did not play Roland Garros and will miss Wimbledon.

Raducanu also cannot keep a coach, with a revolving door of mentors the rule ever since her unexpected career-changing win.

The record of the No. 130 this interrupted season stands at five match wins.

“The circuit is not a very nice and safe space,” she said. “You have to be on your guard because there are a lot of sharks out there. 

“(You must) learn to keep your inner circle as small as possible.

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open from a qualifying start by Garrett Ellwood/USTA