Did Emma Raducanu just reveal the secret pressure cooker of professional tennis? After her quick US Open exit, the star claims top players are ‘targeting’ her with their best game. Is this a common tactic among the elite, or is there more to Raducanu’s recent struggles than meets the eye?

British tennis star Emma Raducanu recently faced an early exit from the prestigious US Open, crashing out in the third round after a swift 62-minute defeat. The young sensation, a former champion at Flushing Meadows, candidly expressed her belief that she is increasingly targeted by top professional tennis players on the circuit, adding a new dimension to her Grand Slam journey.

Her latest challenge came against the formidable Elena Rybakina, who delivered a dominant performance to dispatch Raducanu. This unexpected departure from the US Open marks a significant moment for Raducanu, whose previous rounds had seen her set personal records for the quickest Grand Slam matches of her career against qualifiers, showcasing flashes of her renowned talent.

When pressed on whether her past success and high profile made her a particular target for elite competitors, Raducanu unequivocally stated, “Yeah, big time.” She elaborated on her perspective, suggesting that top-ranked players approach matches against her with an added incentive, aiming to reaffirm their status at the pinnacle of the sport and demonstrate their superior skill and experience.

Raducanu further reflected on her encounters with other leading players, noting that adversaries like Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina consistently deliver exceptional performances when facing her. This consistent high-level play, she admitted, poses a considerable challenge and underscores the competitive intensity she experiences on the professional tennis tour.

The match statistics against Rybakina painted a clear picture of the contest. Despite Rybakina making only 47% of her first serves, she converted an impressive 86% of those points and faced no break points throughout the encounter. In contrast, Raducanu’s serve was broken four times, including a critical early break in her very first service game, which saw her fall to a 0-3 deficit from which she never truly recovered.

Rybakina’s aggressive play was evident in her shot-making, hitting 23 winners compared to just eight by Emma Raducanu. This disparity highlights the pressure Raducanu was under and Rybakina’s commanding presence on the court, ultimately contributing to the quick resolution of the third-round Grand Slam fixture.

Adding to her evolving career narrative, Raducanu recently enlisted Francis Roig as her coach following a brief trial period before the Cincinnati Masters. The US Open marked their second tournament together and fifth match in collaboration, indicating a nascent partnership aimed at refining her game and strategy as she navigates the demanding landscape of professional tennis.

As the “Emma Raducanu” narrative continues to unfold, her candid remarks about being “targeted” by top players offer insight into the mental and strategic challenges facing former champions on the “Grand Slam” circuit. Her journey through the highly competitive world of “Tennis News” remains a focal point for fans and analysts alike, eager to see how she adapts and evolves in her quest for consistent success.