Wimbledon and Radacanu

[Stevelondon]

Much as I loved seeing this rather pretty young lady win the US open. I can’t help feeling it came a tad too early in her career.
She’s out of Wimbledon today. Beaten by a better player on the day. But Garcia is hardly likely to cause anyone else problems……. My opinion.

Emma has had some injury problems too. But her constant change of coaches can’t be a good sign surely.

She needs to take stock a bit. Step back and get her game on track. Otherwise she’s going to be the one hit wonder an awful lot of people said she would be.

Mind you. Being a one hit wonder sometimes isn’t all bad.

Just look at Norman Greenbaum. 😂

[lamboman]

She should take a lesson from Eugenie Bouchard.
Someone else who spent too much time on sponsorships and premieres and then plummeted down the rankings.
At least Radacanu has won a major though,I suspect her father has too much influence on her coaching decisions.

[mr.bluesky]

I know the BBC doesn't televise many sports nowadays, No Formula 1 or very little live football apart from the FA cup but they do go overboard with it's  coverage of Wimbledon.  Sometimes it's on both BBC1 and BBC2 at the same time for fucks sake  A bit like when they televise snooker it's overkill. Success has come too soon for Radacanu and she will more than likely be a  one season wonder. Hopefully the dour Scotsman will get knocked out soon. Tennis stopped being interesting when  John McEnroe retired. At least his temper tantrums made a dull sport watchable. ( as you've probably guessed I'm not a big tennis fan  )

[snoopy]

Yeah but Harriet Dart worth watching 

[FiveKnuckles]

what she doesn't win in prize money, she'll bag some coins selling evian, tiffany co, etc.   bit of a shame if the US open was her only title at the end

[chrishornx]

Yeah but Harriet Dart worth watching 

And Katie Swann

[hermanmunster]

Much as I loved seeing this rather pretty young lady win the US open. I can’t help feeling it came a tad too early in her career.
She’s out of Wimbledon today. Beaten by a better player on the day. But Garcia is hardly likely to cause anyone else problems……. My opinion.

Emma has had some injury problems too. But her constant change of coaches can’t be a good sign surely.

She needs to take stock a bit. Step back and get her game on track. Otherwise she’s going to be the one hit wonder an awful lot of people said she would be.

Mind you. Being a one hit wonder sometimes isn’t all bad.

Just look at Norman Greenbaum. 😂

There was an interesting article on the BBC website a couple of weeks ago, focussing on the lack of stability and consistency in the people around her.  Her father got a lot of the blame for this, but Emma was not considered blameless.  It is the Raducanu way - so it was suggested.  Apparently it has already been the case that people have started turning down the opportunity to coach her because the appointment may be terminated at any time.  It does seem amazing that Andrew Richardson was "released" after the US open win - could he have done any more for her.

I for one (even as a tennis fan) have already become a little fed up of seeing her photo rather than seeing a tennis photo of her winning a match.

[lamboman]

It does seem amazing that Andrew Richardson was "released" after the US open win - could he have done any more for her.

I was thinking of this today,no doubt her team wanted someone to take her "to the next level".
Well their isn't one US Open champion is as good as it gets,who in their right mind thinks changing coaches every 6 months is a good idea.

[timsussex]

Imagine you were the guy that coached her to the US Open win and got dumped a week later ?

Might have a little smile every time she loses

[foreverchanges]

And Katie Swann

And Katie Boulter.

[davxx]

And Katie Boulter.

Agreed on Katie Boulter, I see she is first on Centre Court tomorrow I will be watching.

[Yankee21]

Radacanu's father is the issue.
Keeps firing coaches

[Watts.E.Dunn]

We're expecting her up here in Cambridge to read Economics so it's said:!)

[Bummer]

When she was winning she was a english rose. But now she is being shown as pretty average tennis player it’s the Romanian nettle 😂.

[southcoastpunter]

i am sure the father has a lot of influence but Emma herself must take the majority og the blame. she is an adult afterall and can make her own decisions.

the press and the BBc in particular take some blame too - building her up and using terms to describe her that i just don't recognise - like "she is a real competitor" and "she is mentally so strong"......she doesn't look that to me. in fact the opposite. Ok she is still young but a good coach would have helped her  develop that side of her game. also help her focus on tennis rather than appearances and adverts etc

I really hope i am wrong but i don't think she will get close to winning another Grand Slam.

[tp69]

The expectation following the US Open is simply too high. She won the US without playing anyone in the top 10. A dream draw by any standard.

She's now expected to replicate the performance and consistently beat top 10's. They're better than her. Not going to happen, certainly not overnight.

Have to take the US Open win for what it was, and give her the chance to develop.

[Landscape]

Hope I'm wrong but Emma will be a one-hit wonder (one hell of a hit though). She has done little of note since then and there are no signs that this will change in the future.

The instability brought by changing coaches like people change their underwear certainly hasn't helped matters and the sacking of the only decent coach she's had seemed to be a management decision rather than a sporting one.

The way things are going, she's going to be the next Eugenie Bouchard, albeit with a grand slam win to her name.

[hermanmunster]

The expectation following the US Open is simply too high. She won the US without playing anyone in the top 10. A dream draw by any standard.

She's now expected to replicate the performance and consistently beat top 10's. They're better than her. Not going to happen, certainly not overnight.

Have to take the US Open win for what it was, and give her the chance to develop.

Realistically she is not better than anyone in the top 30-40 and it would be an upset for her to beat them.  Her ranking paints a false picture.

[tp69]

Realistically she is not better than anyone in the top 30-40 and it would be an upset for her to beat them.  Her ranking paints a false picture.

Correct. Her ranking will normalise after the US Open this year once she loses those points.

People are a bit silly with all the blame around her team and the money/fame etc. Look at her results, it was a miracle draw and she managed to beat the 12th and 18th seeds to win the event. Other than that, she struggles with anyone in the Top 40. Expectations need adjusting. Still, good for her to make a name for herself and rake in enough cash to be set for life.

[Rufus Firefly]

 Disappointed Raducanu is out but cheered up no end when I heard that Murray is out 

[Dickled]

I'm sorry she lost and I just hope the rest of her life isn't going to be an anti-climax, sports wise.

The player I miss most is Sabine Lisicki and the unadulterated joy she displayed when winning.

[jeanphillipe]

Disappointed Raducanu is out but cheered up no end when I heard that Murray is out 

Murray have been "out" for some years now. Hes not going back to his prime.

In his prime he was part of the big 4. And would pull off some amazing shot. He would have been a legend in his prime. BUT ... Federer, Nadal  and Djokovic....

[southcoastpunter]

Murray have been "out" for some years now. Hes not going back to his prime.

In his prime he was part of the big 4. And would pull off some amazing shot. He would have been a legend in his prime. BUT ... Federer, Nadal  and Djokovic....

True but he still won 3 grand slams and 2 Olympic gold medals - so not bad bearing in mind the competition he had around him!

[smiths]

True but he still won 3 grand slams and 2 Olympic gold medals - so not bad bearing in mind the competition he had around him!

Indeed, plus he helped win the Davis Cup one year and was world number 1 for a while, one or more of the big 3 being crocked at the time. He cashed in then playing as much as he could and paid the price injury wise and has never got back to the same level since, and i would guess he wont ever get back to that level.

[radioman33]

Just heard Raducanu on the radio, “I’m only young I’ve already won a slam” she’s right so what.Too much pressure on her and she’s loaded now anyhow $$.

[ulstersubbie]

True but he still won 3 grand slams and 2 Olympic gold medals - so not bad bearing in mind the competition he had around him!

The real tragedy from a Scottish perspective is he wasn't a footballer, we produce a good player but in tennis. Only in Scotland!

[Jayjay1]

Don't get why is so popular. I get she won a Grand Slam, British and young but feels like British Tennis is focusing only on here.

If Katie Boulter has a good year 1/4 finals as a min in Wimbledon championships,  I feel sponsorship and media will be all over here. Family orientated girl, tall blonde pretty and genuine look and good with media.

 

[hermanmunster]

I would expect, Katie Boulter, Hariet Dart, Katie Swan and maybe even Heather Watson to beat Radacanu atm - they really seem like more reliable players. The only difference is - one big US Open.

[sanchez]

She’s got the skills to be a top player. Just needs some consistency (including a coach) without the constant injuries and niggles she has picked up. 4 days she spends on endorsements and marketing a year. Hardly disruptive.

The BBC always do this around Wimbledon. They build up the next best thing but at the same time try to hold their hands up and say “it’s not us…let’s not give Emma too much pressure.” It’s like Murray said after his defeat in 2012. It’s not the fans in the stadium that gives him the pressure, they enjoy the home crowd and it spurs them on. It’s the lazy press and media with nothing better to talk about that assume everyone is interested in hearing it.

[hermanmunster]

She’s got the skills to be a top player. Just needs some consistency (including a coach) without the constant injuries and niggles she has picked up. 4 days she spends on endorsements and marketing a year. Hardly disruptive.

The BBC always do this around Wimbledon. They build up the next best thing but at the same time try to hold their hands up and say “it’s not us…let’s not give Emma too much pressure.” It’s like Murray said after his defeat in 2012. It’s not the fans in the stadium that gives him the pressure, they enjoy the home crowd and it spurs them on. It’s the lazy press and media with nothing better to talk about that assume everyone is interested in hearing it.

One of those who had worked with her said she needs to distinguish between an injury and a reason for losing (the implication was that you read "reason" as "ready made excuse")

Her agent stated that she is committed to 18 days promotional work pa. That seems a lot to me.

[sanchez]

One of those who had worked with her said she needs to distinguish between an injury and a reason for losing (the implication was that you read "reason" as "ready made excuse")

Her agent stated that she is committed to 18 days promotional work pa. That seems a lot to me.

I had read 4 but that was some time ago. Of the 13 they will commit to all of those days anyway.

She’ll certainly have a decision to make in terms of balance. Whether that works out for her remains to be seen.

[southcoastpunter]

Just heard Raducanu on the radio, “I’m only young I’ve already won a slam” she’s right so what.Too much pressure on her and she’s loaded now anyhow $$.

i also heard the sports new bulletin where she said that.....I thought she was using that as an excuse.  "But i am only young and i have already won a grand slam".....so its ok me losing in the 2nd round of Wimbledon!

She should be angry with her self.....for being a slam winner and going out in only the 2nd round. she doesn't seem to have the hunger atm to go win another. she should remember that others have also won a slam as a teenager - ok not the best example to use at the moment but Boris Becker won Wimbledon at age 17 and then again at 18!!

is she too busy being a TV and fashion star? seems to me - yes and doesn't have the real desire/hunger to go win a slam again!

[hermanmunster]

"But i am only young and i have already won a grand slam".....so its ok me losing in the 2nd round of Wimbledon!

I feel this is why she was never going to have a successful Wimbledon.  Until she gets rid of that "I won the US Open" fallback position she will gradually see herself dropping down the rankings, starting with a significant drop after this year's US Open.  I first took note of her abilities before the first lockdown and was still impressed during the Roehampton Battle of the Brits.  She is now too comfortable in the position she has carved out for herself.  Watching reruns of the US Open is a hard watch - when you see the determination and clean ball striking that have now disappeared.

[LLPunting]

i also heard the sports new bulletin where she said that.....I thought she was using that as an excuse.  "But i am only young and i have already won a grand slam".....so its ok me losing in the 2nd round of Wimbledon!

She should be angry with her self.....for being a slam winner and going out in only the 2nd round. she doesn't seem to have the hunger atm to go win another. she should remember that others have also won a slam as a teenager - ok not the best example to use at the moment but Boris Becker won Wimbledon at age 17 and then again at 18!!

is she too busy being a TV and fashion star? seems to me - yes and doesn't have the real desire/hunger to go win a slam again!

Currently her record plays like the Sarf London version of Naomi Osaka only even less able and persistent.
A real shame what little promise she demonstrated has been undermined by atrocious decision making in her camp.
Still if it took the pressure off the other Brits so they could hunger for success without the beat-downs and chivvy them on  to better their bests then silver-lining of sorts.
Best of luck to those advancing and hoping they get better sponsorships to support them.

[Adoniron]

I'm calling it now. She'll never win another grand slam. She'll retire within the next 5 years to live off advertisements, endorsements and media income.

[mr.bluesky]

I'm calling it now. She'll never win another grand slam. She'll retire within the next 5 years to live off advertisements, endorsements and media income.

She will no doubt get a job on the BBC giving her "expert" analysis or will get a job on the One show alongside Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas . Maybe a future presenter/ team captain on Question of Sport   

[mills_and_bhuna]

Watched Boulter yesterday and very impressed.
Raducanu getting a lot of shit at the moment and if it's her promotional activities contributing to her inconsistency then she's kinda brought it upon herself.
However it's hard to deny she's given a real shot in the arm to British women's tennis.
It was at the standing joke stage but I think her win in the US Open has removed a glass ceiling of sorts.
Boulter and Watson doing well and Dart taking the world No. 9 to three sets has to be a positive.
Don't see a Brit winning it this year though.
Jabeur or Gauff looking most likely.
But if Iga gets past Round 3 watch out.

[radioman33]

Heather Watson did well today,she has been around a while now,30 yrs old so due to retire.

[Bummer]

A very average player in a very poor women’s tennis era : had a lucky draw and won New York now gets spanked at every event ;   I am rooting for heather Watson she is a tryer and this year seems to be clicking into gear.  I know the kiss of deff 

[MrMatrix]

Imagine you were the guy that coached her to the US Open win and got dumped a week later ?

Might have a little smile every time she loses

Agreed but why did she sack him. Doesnt make sense

[lamboman]

Father is reportedly too tight to pay a full time coach amongst other things he has against them.
I'm sure the budget could stretch to a decent one.

[southcoastpunter]

Agreed but why did she sack him. Doesnt make sense

i don't think he was sacked as such as he was only on a temp short term contract until the end of the US Open. His contract wasn't renewed.

Maybe she knew she wouldn't need him as she would be too busy on non tennis stuff!!

[Stevelondon]

Murray have been "out" for some years now. Hes not going back to his prime.

In his prime he was part of the big 4. And would pull off some amazing shot. He would have been a legend in his prime. BUT ... Federer, Nadal  and Djokovic....

Spot on. There would have been a lot more grand slam winners if not for the fact they were playing in the big three era. But such is life.

Something I find a tad sad about Radacanu is this and it’s not something that is her fault.
After the US open win. The sponsorship came flooding in. The tv appearances. The SPorts personality of the year award etc etc.
Then she gets a bloody MBE to top it all.

Makes me feel sad for those other British girls who keep plugging away and have done (albeit not with a grand slam win) just as much for tennis.

[mills_and_bhuna]

Agreed but why did she sack him. Doesnt make sense

It was reported at the time he didn't want a long term contract as he was coaching his own son who is apparently a bright prospect.

[houseboot]

Raducanu had a crazy 3 weeks in America. The media and public obviously lapped it up ... why wouldn't they?

However, Raducanu has always been realistic about her future. Where she is, what she needs to do.

Her experience is limited and her physical durability is that of the school kid she was. She needs to become "battle harden" to be able to cope with the gruelling demands of life on tour.

She got Covid in the "close season" when they do a lot of the physical conditioning in preparation for playing. Thereafter she's had one niggling injury after another which continually puts her back to square one.

Coach?  It's a very close 1:2:1 relationship so you need to gel. She/they are having to make choices based on reputation rather than experience ... the only ones she really knows are the English ones hence Richardson accompanied her to America ... basically as a favour never expecting her to win so many matches and stay there so long.

Currently Iain Bates supports her.

Sponsors?  It's controlled by her Management company/Agent. They'll get the balance right as they did with Sharapova ... she didn't do too bad.

And did Raducanu do any worse than the others? Fourteen of the top 32 Ladies seeds went out in the first 2 rounds.

[Bummer]

Raducanu had a crazy 3 weeks in America. The media and public obviously lapped it up ... why wouldn't they?

However, Raducanu has always been realistic about her future. Where she is, what she needs to do.

Her experience is limited and her physical durability is that of the school kid she was. She needs to become "battle harden" to be able to cope with the gruelling demands of life on tour.

She got Covid in the "close season" when they do a lot of the physical conditioning in preparation for playing. Thereafter she's had one niggling injury after another which continually puts her back to square one.

Coach?  It's a very close 1:2:1 relationship so you need to gel. She/they are having to make choices based on reputation rather than experience ... the only ones she really knows are the English ones hence Richardson accompanied her to America ... basically as a favour never expecting her to win so many matches and stay there so long.

Currently Iain Bates supports her.

Sponsors?  It's controlled by her Management company/Agent. They'll get the balance right as they did with Sharapova ... she didn't do too bad.

And did Raducanu do any worse than the others? Fourteen of the top 32 Ladies seeds went out in the first 2 rounds.

Yep Sharopva did great until she stopped taking the drugs

[jeanphillipe]

One thing about Murray style of play. It takes a big physical toll on his body as he would go to extreme lengths to chase those returns.

Federer is just elegance man it's why he has lasted so much longer. Always in the right place  makes it look effortless sometimes.

Nadal is also a physical type player but I guess he is just built better.

[hermanmunster]

Since last year's US Open, Raducanu is the only lady in the world's top 50 to have won less than 50% of her matches - at 42% she is 10% worse than the next worst.  I do fear for her - surely she has to soon decide : is she a tennis player or is she a celebrity.  If she chooses the latter, she will undoubtedly have a successful 2 or 3 years but could then just disappear.  People talk about her getting rid of coaches since her US Open win - if you go back further to Wimbledon last year (her second most successful tournament), she reached the fourth round and immediately dismissed her coach. 

Apparently, after Wimbledon 2022 she will move into the world's top 10, however unless she has another successful US Open she is likely to drop out of the world's top 50 by mid September.  How will she cope with that - this is a big concern?

[southcoastpunter]

for me, its not so much her performances themselves, its her attitude. She doesn't seem to have the hunger, the pure desire needed to compete at the very top level of tennis.

[Stevelondon]

One thing about Murray style of play. It takes a big physical toll on his body as he would go to extreme lengths to chase those returns.

Federer is just elegance man it's why he has lasted so much longer. Always in the right place  makes it look effortless sometimes.

Nadal is also a physical type player but I guess he is just built better.

And Radacanu is ???

😂😂😂