US Tennis Star Slammed for 'Ridiculous' Comment About Emma Raducanu
An American tennis star has been criticised for what fans branded a 'ridiculous' comment about Emma Raducanu, following her loss at the Ningbo Open.
Raducanu struggled throughout her opening-round loss to Zhu Lin, needing both her blood pressure and vital signs checked during the match.
After taking the first set, the Briton faded badly and eventually lost 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 to the world number 219.
Raducanu is still scheduled to compete in two more tournaments this season, firstly in Tokyo and then in Hong Kong.
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But following her struggles in Ningbo, where she required treatment for a back problem, there are growing doubts about whether her season may be over.
It has been yet another mixed campaign for Raducanu, who stunned the sporting world in 2021 when she became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam.
At just 18, she was thrown into the limelight after ending Britain's 44-year wait for a women's Grand Slam singles champion with victory at the US Open.
However, former American world number eight John Isner has sparked controversy by suggesting that Raducanu's achievement was less impressive than Valentin Vacherot's recent victory at the Shanghai Open.
Vacherot, who is ranked 204 in the world, defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to become the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champion since the series began back in 1990.
Isner said: “I think it is more impressive, yes. [For Raducanu] it’s a bigger story because it’s the US Open, but I think this is more improbable than what she did.
“I am giving it to Vacherot there. It’s just unheard of.”
Fans on social media were quick to dismiss Isner's comparison, insisting that Raducanu's title remains a greater shock.
One fan, @SteveRedfearn2, wrote: "Ridiculous claim. The best players weren't even there."
Another, @MavisTennis added: "I think there is serious recency bias involved here.
"A qualifier winning a masters is not unheard of. A qualifier winning a slam is.
"Emma was 18, playing only her second grand slam event and hadn’t even won a match on the WTA tour. She won 10 matches and Vacherot 9."
Some fans backed Isner, arguing that Vacherot's route to victory, which included defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, was more impressive than Raducanu's.
"He's right," @Nic_nac78 said.
"USO is a slam, but you just have to look at who was playing that year and who Raducanu had to beat to win it."
"Yes, she didn't drop a set and yes she came through qualifying, but she didn't face a single top 10 player."
Topics: Emma Raducanu, Tennis, US Open
James Taylor