Emma Raducanu, the British tennis prodigy who stunned the world with her 2021 US Open victory, has opened up about the lasting impact of her triumph, the harrowing experience of being stalked, and her unorthodox approach to mental resilience.
The Weight of a Legacy
Four years after becoming the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam, Raducanu reflects on how that New York fairytale reshaped her life. "It's a moment that defined me, but it doesn't control me," the 22-year-old says with the poise that belies her youth.
Shadow of Stalking
The Wimbledon-born star reveals disturbing details about a stalking ordeal that followed her meteoric rise. "When someone crosses that line from admiration to obsession, it changes how you see the world," she admits, though refuses to be drawn into specifics to avoid giving attention to the perpetrator.
Therapy? Not For Me
In a candid revelation that may surprise mental health advocates, Raducanu explains why conventional therapy doesn't appeal to her. "I process things differently. For me, solutions come through action - through training, through competing, through proving things to myself on court."
The Toughness Within
What emerges most strongly is Raducanu's fierce self-belief. "People see the composed exterior, but underneath there's steel," she says. "That US Open run wasn't luck - it was years of sacrifice and a refusal to accept limits."
As she prepares for the North American hardcourt swing, Raducanu appears at peace with both her extraordinary achievements and the challenges they've brought. "Pressure is privilege," she concludes with characteristic maturity. "I wouldn't trade my journey for anyone else's."
