No pressure, I’m a qualifier: Raducanu

Emma Raducanu’s amazing run to the US Open women’s final was summed in just two words courtside after she had beaten Greece’s Maria Sakkari in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.

“No pressure”.

“Honestly the time here has gone so fast, I’ve been taking care of each day and three weeks later I’m in the final, I can’t believe it,’ Raducanu said during the courtside interview.

“You can’t get ahead of yourself and just stay present. Today I wasn’t thinking about anyone else except for myself.

Emma Raducanu celebrates her win at the US Open. Photo: Darren Carroll/USTA

“Since I’ve been here I’ve had great support. Playing under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium is one of the most iconic things in tennis. I was so excited.

“Is there any expectation? I’m a qualifier – there’s no pressure on me!”

Raducanu said she been taking care of each day and three weeks later … “before you know it, I am in the final, and I can’t actually believe it.

Emma Raducanu reacts after winning her women’s singles semi-final match against Maria Sakkari. Photo: Darren Carroll/USTA

Waving to the New York crowd, who cheered her to victory, Raducanu said she felt at home in the Big Apple.

“You guys have made me feel right at home. To play under the lights in Arthur Ashe stadium is an iconic moment,” she said.

And she saved her final thank you for former British No.1 Tim Henman, who was working the match for a TV network.

When asked why she looked up to Henman before she served for the match, she said: “Tim has a been fantastic for me, advising me to take each point at a time, I can’t thank him enough.”

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Draper devours semi-final bagel to finally school Alcaraz

Jack Draper will crack the ATP top 10 for the first time after the Brit defeated two-time…

10 hours ago

Swiatek breaks the speed limit in rapid-fire win

Iga Swiatek switched to warp speed after rain delayed her fourth-round match by an hour,…

5 days ago

Alcaraz hits 14 in a row at Indian Wells

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz ran his hot streak at the Indian Wells Masters to 14…

5 days ago

Sabalenka steamrolls modest Italian opposition

Aryna Sabalenka spent just an hour and a quarter in dispatching Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1,…

5 days ago

Gauff scrapes through despite double-fault disaster

Coco Gauff wasted five match points while double-faulting four times in the final game but managed…

5 days ago

Draper increasing confidence with IW win

Jack Draper used the confidence earned just weeks ago in Australia to power past Jensen Brooksby…

6 days ago