“Wasn’t prepared as well for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you” – Raducanu

The Brit says she now limits time on her schedule for off-court ventures so that she can focus on training

Emma Raducanu at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

December 17, 2024

Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu has admitted that she was not well prepared to deal with the demands that came with her various sponsorship deals in the aftermath of her historic US Open title run.

Raducanu became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open and then went on to become one of the most widely sought-after brand ambassadors in the sport.

Even as she struggled with injuries and the heightened expectations and scrutiny that followed, the Brit was often criticised for her off-court endeavours by fans and some sections of the tennis media.

“Especially straight after I did really well, for the next few years it was very much like there was so much communication about things off the court,” said Raducanu as quoted by Yahoo Sports.

“And I would always, always give my 100 per cent on the court. I was always working really hard, but I just think that I wasn’t prepared as well for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you.”

“I think I’ve learned how to say no a bit more” – Raducanu

The 22-year-old, who bounced back into the top 60 this season, says she has now learnt to say no more often and only keeps a limited time on her schedule to discuss her off-court activities.

“I think now I’m a lot more structured. I’ll be like: ‘OK, I have this time where one hour we will talk about business. And now I’m going to go train for the rest of the week’,” Raducanu said.

“Also I think I’ve learned how to say no a bit more. Initially, I felt really bad for letting people down. I’d always want to do extra for whatever partner or magazine or whatever I’m shooting for.”