Emma Raducanu claims she’s ‘HAPPY’ to be out of the US Open and able to get ‘the target off my back’ – despite the sadness of her defeat – as she faces a fall down the world rankings
- Emma Raducanu will drop down the world rankings following US Open exit
- The 19-year-old was eliminated by Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in the first round
- Raducanu was beaten in straight sets despite winning the US Open last year
- She was disappointed with the loss but relieved to have ‘the target off her back’
Emma Raducanu has admitted she does not mind dropping down the world tennis rankings following her exit from the US Open.
The Brit, who was defending her title from last year, was beaten by 32-year-old Alize Cornet in straight sets as in the first round.
Due to the result, it is expected that Raducanu will drop to around 80th in the world tennis rankings.
Emma Raducanu will drop in the world tennis rankings to about 80th following her defeat
Raducanu admitted that she will not mid the rankings drop if it takes the target off her back
However, the 19-year-old, despite being disappointed with being knocked out, Raducanu does not mind taking a step out of the firing line in order to climb back up the rankings.
She said: ‘Obviously it’s really disappointing, I’m really sad to leave here. It’s probably my favourite tournament.
‘But also in a way I’m happy because it’s a clean slate. I’m going to drop down the rankings. Climb my way back up. The target will be off my back slightly.
‘I’ve been doing some really good work in the last six weeks especially.
Raducanu (pictured) failed to defend her US Open title as she was knocked out by Alize Cornet
‘I’m just looking forward to putting more of those weeks together consistently, then we’ll see what happens.
“With perspective, actually as a 19-year-old, I’ve had not a bad year. To be top 100, if you told me that a year ago, I’d take it.”
Raducanu was given a warm reception by the fans as she was welcomed back to the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Alize Cornet (pictured) was able to handle the windy conditions better than Emma Raducanu
The 32-year-old Frenchwomen is competing in her 32nd consecutive Grand Slam
Windy conditions however impacted the match as there were nine double faults but Frenchwoman Cornet was able to handle it better to earn the victory.
Cornet was taking part in her 32nd consecutive Grand Slam, the longest run currently going, and was one of the toughest first-round opponents that Raducanu could have faced.
She revealed in January that she was considering retirement but since then, she has decided to push it back to the French Open next year.
Raducanu did admit that she found the conditions tough to deal with, saying: ‘It was quite windy. It was quite difficult for me, especially to find my ball toss.
Raducanu suffered from blisters and had to have one taped up at the end of the opening set
‘I think I was hitting quite a lot of serves long. I just struggled to adapt to it really.
‘It’s something that both players have to deal with. She just dealt with it better than me today.’
The 19-year-old again was struggling with blisters on her fingers as she had to have a medical time-out to have one taped at the end of the opening set.
‘I’ve been getting some blisters throughout the weeks in the States,” she said. ‘But I think that’s just down to humidity and stuff. I got a new one. But you tape it up and move on it. It’s a blister. Not much you can do about it.’
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