‘Feisty’ Emma Raducanu sends warning to US
British star Emma Raducanu has fired a warning to her tennis rivals at the 2024 US Open, telling them: ‘I’ve been feisty!’
Raducanu cliched the US Open women’s singles trophy at Flushing Meadows three years ago, and after long-term injury problems across 2022 and 2023, she has been enjoying a resurgent 2024, reaching the Wimbledon last 16 in July.
Former British No.1 Tim Henman has handed Raducanu an 8.5/10 rating for her season so far – and she has now warned her rivals that she’s full of confidence heading into the major tournament in New York – the last Grand Slam of the year.
‘I’ve been playing a lot freer in the last month,’ the 21-year-old said on Sky Sports Editions ahead of her first-round match against America’s Sofia Kenin.
‘I’ve been expressing myself and I’ve been fighting, there’s been a lot of passion and I’ve been feisty.
‘I just feel a real fire back and a desire. That is me, I’m really tenacious and gritty, and I feel like I’ve got my spark back which is what I’m most pleased about.’
Raducanu impressively conjured up her first two wins over players ranked inside the world top 10 this year.
Emma Raducanu pictured in action at Wimbledon 2024
Emma Raducanu is aiming to reach her second major quarter-final (Picture: Getty)
She defeated Jessica Pegula at the Eastbourne International before battling past Maria Sakkari at Wimbledon.
‘I consider myself an artist, even with what I do which is playing tennis, I mean we’re pretty much entertainers,’ Raducanu added.
‘We’re there to entertain the crowd and the public who are there watching us. They’re the ones who are spending their hard-earned money buying tickets to watch us play and it’s about creativity on the court.
More Trending
Novak Djokovic makes tennis player ‘cry’ and beats Carlos Alcaraz again ahead of US Open
Emma Raducanu’s first-round opponent revealed for US Open 2024
Nick Kyrgios left angry as world No.1 Jannik Sinner avoids drug ban: ‘You should be gone!’
Emma Raducanu makes ‘downfall’ confession ahead of US Open after Olympics snub
Read More Stories
‘It’s about how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and setbacks, what shots and different geometry we can use on the court.
‘So, I would say on the court we’re creators and off the court I’m finding myself more and more attracted to the arts, piano and painting.
‘So its more than just tennis and forehands and backhands. It’s like we’re paying piano on the court. I just play so much better when I’m happy and putting my personality out there.’
