22-year-old tennis pro and former US Open Champion, Emma Raducanu, recently opened up about her personal life in an article published by The Guardian.
The Guardian's piece is very informative and gives us a deeper look into the athlete's management of her career, friendships, and academic studies.
Raducanu revealed that she uses her studies to take a break from tennis, and tennis to take a break from her studies. This habit keeps her grounded and prevents her from "overworking herself with a singular focus in pursuit of her goals."
When discussing her goals, Raducanu stated that she wants to study English, politics, or physics in the near future. However, she's unsure if she will go into a degree program.
Developing a fortified sense of independence
Unfortunately, Raducanu's early success brought some early heartbreak as well.
Elsewhere in her interview with The Guardian, Emma said that she's "someone who keeps things to [herself]." The highly ranked pro also said that it takes a lot for someone to make it inside her personal circle.
Raducanu approaches her relationships this way because she's "been burnt a few times."
When elaborating, Emma said, "I haven't really opened up to many people in my life...but the ones that I really trust, I do."
"And the thing with me is, once I let someone in, I let them in fully and I care for them so much," she continued.
Raducanu's passionate nature exposed her to the emotional setbacks she experienced because of her former associates and business partners. Betrayals in her personal and business life have led Emma towards partnerships built on familiarity instead of starpower and reputation.
"I just find myself gravitating towards those people now who I've known, and I'd say my circle is smaller than ever," Emma explained.
Lately, Emma Raducanu has been seen with Mark Petchey and Jane O'Donoghue while preparing for her matches. According to The Guardian, Emma first worked with Petchey in 2020 and calls O'Donoghue her big sister.
Raducanu's familiarity with Petchey is so important that she's willing to work around his broadcasting schedule due to the respect she has for him and his guidance.
While explaining how their professional relationship came about, Raducanu said, "He's someone that I trust . . . he said 'I can help you around the [broadcasting] commitments and stuff.' That's how it started."
Fans of Emma Raducanu will be happy to learn that she recently advanced to the second round of the Italian Open after defeating Australia's Maya Joint in the first round. The Guardian reports that Emma's victory was actually her first win in Rome, as she was forced to retire in the first round back in 2022.