Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced scrutiny for avoiding lower-ranked tournaments like ITF or Challenger events, with former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Tamira Paszek explaining why such a move could see Raducanu “hunted” by opponents. Paszek, speaking to *Tennis365* at the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Shrewsbury on November 4, 2024, highlighted the intense pressure Raducanu would face in these smaller tournaments due to her high-profile status. “It’s easy to say she should play this tournament just to get points or matches, but if she played at a lower level, she would be hunted,” Paszek said. “People see you as a target, and that is a tough challenge.”[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/emma-raducanu-comeback-hunted-injury-ranking)
This concept of being “hunted” stems from Raducanu’s status as a Grand Slam winner and former World No. 10, making her a prized scalp for lower-ranked players eager to prove themselves. Paszek, who reached a career-high No. 26, shared her own experience: “I had some success in my career and now I am playing smaller events and it is tough. People see you are a target.” In lower-tier events, players ranked outside the top 100 would view a match against Raducanu as a career-defining opportunity, elevating their intensity and motivation. This dynamic was echoed on Reddit’s r/tennis, where users noted, “Some of these girls now know how it feels as what Serena says ‘having a target on your back’… every single girl wants to beat you,” referencing the pressure Raducanu faces post-US Open.
Raducanu’s decision to skip qualifiers for WTA 1000 events like Toronto and Cincinnati in 2024, despite not receiving wildcards, drew criticism from figures like Andy Roddick, who praised Naomi Osaka for playing Cincinnati qualifiers, suggesting Raducanu should follow suit. However, Paszek argued that competing at lower levels isn’t straightforward. “Saying she should just play lower-ranking events is not always so easy,” she noted, citing the mental and competitive challenges of facing highly motivated opponents in less familiar settings. Raducanu herself acknowledged scheduling errors after her first-round US Open 2024 loss to Sofia Kenin, stating, “I would have preferred to probably play a little bit more before coming into the US Open,” but her team’s collective decisions prioritized bigger events.
Since her 2021 triumph, Raducanu has struggled with injuries and coaching changes, dropping to World No. 58 by September 2025, per *wtatennis.com*. Her 2025 season showed promise, with a Miami Open quarterfinal and Washington Open semifinal, but a foot injury and inconsistent results have kept her from lower-tier events. Paszek emphasized the need for stability, noting Raducanu’s multiple coaching changes post-US Open as a factor in her struggles: “When you have someone who has helped you to such massive success, money is not an issue… lots of new voices confuses you.”
Playing lower-ranked tournaments could boost Raducanu’s ranking—her 20-13 win-loss record in 2024 suggests potential—but the risk of being “hunted” by hungry opponents, combined with the pressure of her Grand Slam pedigree, makes it a daunting prospect. Her recent withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to play the Korea Open reflects a focus on WTA events to rebuild confidence, per *Sky Sports*. For Raducanu, navigating this “target on her back” remains a key challenge
