Emma vows to have nicer 2022
EMMA RADUCANU has revealed she is still learning to be nicer to herself at the end of a remarkable year where she went from
A level student to US Open champion.
The British No.1 (below) is a red-hot favourite to be voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year this evening.
Raducanu (below) shocked the sporting world by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title.
And the Bromley teenager, who had never won a match at Tour level before, did not even drop a set.
The world No.19 has since won only two matches in three WTA events and her preparations for 2022 were hit after getting Covid in Abu Dhabi.
But looking back, Raducanu said: “This year has been a journey – I think that’s the biggest word.
“If you were to draw the journey, the trajectory and where it went, it would just not make sense.
“That is why that holiday in the Caribbean last month was so good for me because I could take a step back and really appreciate how far I have come. I feel like I’ve learnt quite a lot of things and the biggest thing is just patience with myself and just being kind to myself because sometimes you can get so caught up in the result and you forget how far you have come.
“So I took a step back. I looked at where I started in January, February or March and where I finished the year. So I’m proud of myself and that’s the biggest lesson – to be a bit nicer.”
Her high-octane journey may be more turbulent next season as she adapts to her new status.
Raducanu also has to learn to balance being a role model and sponsors’ dream while adding to her limited on-court experience.
“I think I’m still the same person,” she added. “I feel like I’ve come a long way in terms of developing my game, but there are a lot of places I feel it can improve. I’ve got good people around me.”
The F1 fan had urged fans to vote for Sir Lewis Hamilton, but she is set to become the first female SPOTY winner since Zara Phillips in 2006.
Then she will fly Down Under to prepare for the Australian Open where she will again be a favourite.
“Pressure is a privilege,” she said. “I thrive under the adrenaline – and I like it.”