Tim Henman, the former six-time Grand Slam semifinalist, has stepped up to defend Emma Raducanu against the criticism and scrutiny swirling around the young tennis star as she gears up for the US Open. In a bold statement, Henman addressed the controversial opinions surrounding Raducanu, stating that some individuals seem to have “a borderline obsession” with the 2021 US Open champion.
Raducanu, who received praise and positive feedback for her performance during the grass season, has now found herself under fire for opting to play just one tournament leading up to the prestigious US Open. Speculation has arisen that Raducanu did not attempt to qualify through wildcard entries for events in Toronto and Cincinnati because she simply did not want to put in the effort. This has sparked suggestions of diva-like behavior from some critics.
However, Henman believes it is essential for people to take a step back and view the situation from a different perspective. He emphasized that Raducanu’s decision to skip certain tournaments is not a cause for concern, given her overall ranking and performance throughout the year.
“There is almost a borderline obsession about different elements of her game and where she is going wrong. She hasn’t played in Canada and Cincinnati over the last few weeks… big deal! It’s two tournaments out of 52 weeks, she has played plenty of tournaments this year and she is top 50 in the WTA Race for this year. She is continuing to build and get fitter, stronger and faster. Her game is fantastic. She will be top 20 or top 30 before long, so we need to stop this level of scrutiny,” Henman told Tennis365.
Despite the scrutiny, Raducanu remains focused on her upcoming challenge at the US Open. On Tuesday, she took to social media to announce her arrival in New York, where she will be gearing up to compete against the best in the sport.
As the tennis world watches and waits with bated breath, the spotlight remains on Raducanu as she navigates the highs and lows of professional tennis. With the unwavering support of Henman and other tennis professionals, Raducanu is poised to make a splash at the US Open and continue her journey towards the top rankings of the WTA Tour.
