Emma Raducanu, a rising star in tennis, has taken a measured approach to her career, prioritizing balance and perspective.
Despite her deep commitment to tennis, the British player does not see the sport as the only defining aspect of her life. Raducanu has faced criticism from some fans who believe that she should be more single-minded in her dedication to tennis. However, Raducanu remains unfazed, emphasizing that there’s more to life than just the sport.
Reflecting on her journey in a recent interview with Marie Claire, Raducanu discussed the pressures that come with being a young tennis star. She confessed that at times, she felt overwhelmed, believing she had to devote everything to tennis.
This mindset led to moments of panic.
“I think it’s very easy in tennis to panic, and I’m guilty of it. You feel like you only have 10 years of your career ahead of you, and that it’s going to be over before you know it,” she said.
However, Raducanu now realizes that her career has plenty of time left to unfold.
“Sometimes 21 feels so old, and then I remember that in the timeline of my career I still have 10 years of slams ahead of me— even 15 if I really want. And while it goes by very quickly, I’ve only had three years on tour so far, so there’s a lot more learning and developing to do.”
This shift in perspective has allowed her to remain healthy and enjoy consistent play, a significant improvement from previous years. Although she hasn’t added another title to her resume, Raducanu is satisfied with her progress and the consistency she’s achieved in her performances.
She also highlighted the importance of recognizing that life continues after a tennis career.
“There’s also a big chunk of life that happens after tennis. We think when we hit 35, our life is over, but there is so much still to come—many people are just starting their life at that point,” she reflected.
Raducanu’s approach underscores her desire to maximize her time on the tour while maintaining a broader perspective on life, understanding that tennis is just one part of her journey.
