Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced criticism that her eight remaining sponsorship deals—worth millions annually—may be hindering her tennis career, as reported by Express.co.uk and other sources. The 22-year-old Brit, who became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam at 18, saw her commercial portfolio soar post-victory with brands like Dior, Tiffany & Co., Nike, Wilson, Evian, British Airways, HSBC, and Porsche. However, after losing her lucrative £3 million-a-year Vodafone deal in April 2025, reportedly due to excessive financial demands, and having a Porsche vehicle taken back in 2024, concerns have grown about her off-court commitments. Tennis legend Chris Evert told Tennis365 that the influx of endorsements after her US Open win threw Raducanu “into the deep end,” suggesting they’ve distracted her from tennis, with expectations remaining high despite her current world ranking of 47. Raducanu has defended her focus, stating in 2024 to The Times that she trains seven hours daily, and her agent has emphasized that sponsor commitments are limited to 18 days annually to minimize impact. Despite earning £9.6 million in 2023, mostly from endorsements, her on-court struggles—failing to advance past the second round in seven of eight Grand Slams since 2021—have fueled debate. Critics argue the pressure of maintaining these deals, coupled with injuries and frequent coaching changes, has stalled her progress, while supporters note her resilience and recent top-50 return as signs of potential recovery. [Word count: 243][]
