Emma Raducanu Says Public Pressure Is 'A Joke' After Wimbledon Exit

Emma Raducanu says the public pressure on her to win Grand Slams is too much, calling it 'a joke'.

The British fan favourite was sent crashing out of Wimbledon in only the second round, losing 6-3 6-3 to Caroline Garcia.

It was unseeded Garcia's second-ever match on the famous Centre Court.

Following on from her historic victory at the US Open last year, it's clear the public's expectations of the 19-year-old are still high.

So when she was asked about her upcoming US Open title defence in August, Raducanu told the press: “There’s no pressure.

“Like, why is there any pressure? I’m still 19. Like, it’s a joke. I literally won a Slam.

“Yes, I have had attention. But I’m a Slam champion, so no one’s going to take that away from me.

“If anything, the pressure is on those who haven’t done that.

“Going back to New York, it’s going to be cool because I have got a lot of experiences playing on big courts, playing with people in the stadium, playing with the spotlight on you.

“I don’t mind that. I mean, for me, everything is learning. I’m embracing every single moment that is thrown at me.”

Raducanu has already faced a barrage or criticism since the beginning of her successful but rather short career.

In particular, tennis legend John McEnroe has had a few things to say about her, most notably claiming that perhaps the occasion at last year's Wimbledon was “a little bit too much” for Raducanu after she withdrew from her last 16 match with breathing difficulties.

Speaking about this year's tournament, McEnroe changed his tune slightly, admitting the scrutiny she faces is a lot.

"She's a supremely talented individual and has an excellent chance to make a good run," McEnroe said in an interview with Kate Battersby.

"If she's physically fit, I'd be very surprised if she lost early, but to think she can't win Wimbledon is ridiculous.

He added: "Expectations go up greatly when you pull off something like that, and Emma did something no one in the history of tennis has done. I'm assuming expectations in Britain are pretty high, the change in her life is overwhelming, the scrutiny is a bit much at times, it's the same everywhere, not just Britain."

Still just a teenager, Raducanu has already accomplished what many others have failed to do throughout their tennis careers.

So despite her early Wimbledon exit, she has promised to return to the All English Lawn Tennis Club next year better than ever.

“It’s just great for me to get all these lessons at such a young age so that when I’m in my mid-20s, I’ll have those issues or little glitches in my game sorted," Raducanu said in her press conference.

“I’ll just get better. I’ll just look at what’s not working, what my weaknesses are, improve them. It’s good for me.

“These lessons are coming every single week. It’s just a reminder you got to do this, this, and that.

“It comes from different players so it just highlights it. It’s just something to improve on.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Australia, Tennis, Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry