Connect with us

Lifestyle

Emma Raducanu: Former US Open champion says she has ‘a real fire back’ ahead of final Grand Slam of the year

Published

on

Emma Raducanu says she has “a real fire back” ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season at the US Open, which starts on Monday.

In an exclusive interview as part of the latest episode of the Sky Sports Editions series – released on Friday on the Sky Sports YouTube channel – Raducanu discussed her approach to tennis, life and her love of art, saying that finding a better balance off court has helped her “play freer” on it.

Emma Raducanu celebrates beating Maria Sakkari (not pictured) on day five of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Friday July 5, 2024.

Image:Raducanu reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in July

“I have been expressing myself, I’ve been fighting and there has been a lot of passion, I’ve been feisty. And that’s me. I’m really tenacious and gritty.”

‘In the past I was always playing a role’

That tenacity and grit was on full display as Raducanu claimed a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open three years ago, when still a teenager.

Emma Raducanu
Image:Raducanu came through qualifying to win the US Open in 2021 when just 18 years old

But the now 21-year-old admits the intense and sudden spotlight that shone on her made it difficult at times to stay true to herself and her personality.

“I would say I’ve fluctuated,” Raducanu admitted. “I think in the past I was always playing a role and sometimes I wasn’t enjoying certain moments freely and carefree.

“I’m a lot better now at just expressing myself.”

Persistent struggles with injuries have stunted Raducanu’s progress since that famous run at Flushing Meadows in 2021, with most of 2023 lost as she opted to have surgery on both of her wrists and her left ankle last May.

Emma Raducanu (credit: @EmmaRaducanu Twitter)
Image:Raducanu had surgery on both of her wrists and left ankle last year (credit: @EmmaRaducanu)

While her recovery was the main focus, the time away from the glare of the spotlight also afforded her the opportunity to nurture her interests away from tennis, including art and playing the piano.

Equating the parallels to sport, Raducanu said: “I would consider myself an artist, because even playing tennis, we’re pretty much entertainers.

“It’s about our creativity on the court, how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and setbacks – also what shots and geometry we can use on court.

“And it is more than just tennis. It’s almost like playing the piano when we’re on the court, it’s how we express ourselves.”

“I would describe myself as down to earth, determined and different.”

Emma Raducanu, speaking to Sky Sports Editions

‘I feel a real fire back and desire’

Discussing the piece of art she’d most like to own, ‘Girl before a Mirror’ by Pablo Picasso, Raducanu again gave nod to the challenges she’s experienced at such a young age.

“I feel like it’s really relatable because the girl who is looking in the mirror is a lot lighter than the reflection that is coming back,” she said.

“I think that at times in my life I’ve felt that way.”

Emma Raducanu, Sky Sports Editions cover shoot
Image:Raducanu says that painting and playing the piano are two of her passions away from tennis

As for her piano playing, she added: “I find it a very good way to put all my emotions in one place.

“It’s a great outlet for me because, day to day, I have to put on a brave face a lot of the time. It’s a great way to release everything.”

Seemingly thriving from a better work-life balance off the court, Raducanu has started to enjoy greater success on it.

Her fourth-round run at Wimbledon last month was her best at a slam since her unexpected US Open triumph.

She earned her first two wins over top-10 ranked players in her career, beating Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne in the lead up to Wimbledon and adding the scalp of Maria Sakkari at the All England Club.

Earlier in the year, she defeated Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry to help Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup finals and has moved comfortably back into the world’s top 100 (71st, ahead of the US Open).

“I just feel a real fire back and desire,” Raducanu said, as she looks to carry that with her when the US Open starts – live on Sky Sports – on Monday.

“I’ve got that spark back which is what I’m most pleased about.”

Lifestyle

Revealed: Alex Eala revealed Greatest lesson she learned from Rafael Nadal

Published

on

By

LITERALLY living inside the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain for three years and counting, Filipina ace Alex Eala observed firsthand how tennis champions are made.

In fact, in some way, the 15-year-old sees herself treading the same ground and facing the same challenges as World No. 2 Rafael Nadal himself, who again bagged another Slam in his pocket today, after defeating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets, in the French Open tournament.

It also helped, too, that she literally sees him on the court.

“Oftentimes, he plays beside me or on the court next to me. It’s so inspiring, even if you’re just watching him play from afar, you can learn a lot,” Eala said during a virtual press conference with the Philippine media on Sunday night.

Aside from being an oustanding athlete and tennis coach, she also considers the 34-year-old Nadal as an inspiring mentor.

“One of the biggest things I can take away from Rafa is his humility. [He’s] so grounded. He’s achieved more than I can dream of, and the fact that he’s achieved so much and he’s still very nice to everyone here, so down-to-earth, it’s very admirable for him,” she said.

It’s from him that Alex takes inspiration in celebrating her success in a very modest way. Just last Friday, she made the whole country proud after a gallant semifinals finish in her French Open stint.

Eala lost to Elsa Jacquemot, conceding the home ground to the French netter, 6-3, 6-2

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Austin Butler reflects on Paul McCartney’s house party with Taylor Swift

Published

on

By

Austin Butler just shared the details of his wild night at Paul McCartney’s house party.

The star-studded affair was not only the most “insane” time Butler’s had in a while, but it was the most glamorous, being surrounded by his childhood icons and legendary music artists like Meryl Streep and Bruce Springsteen.

Butler, 32, reflected on the experience while speaking with Jimmy Kimmel, who was also lucky enough to be at the party. During the June 17 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the two gushed about having last seen each other at McCartney’s house.

“Last time I saw you was at maybe the craziest party I’ve ever been to in my whole life,” Kimmel, 56, admitted before Butler agreed: “That was insane.”

Kimmel noted: “It was like a party where Tom Hanks is going: ‘Oh my God, can you believe who’s here?!’”

Emblem rockers like Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ringo Starr graced McCartney’s home, leaving Hollywood’s elite to mingle with music royalty, the pair said. Even Taylor Swift was there, according to Butler and Kimmel.

The Elvisstar said the “Anti-Hero” singer wasn’t a normal guest, she was the DJ. “Yeah, she was DJing at one point,” Butler told Kimmel, who then quipped about how Swift isn’t booked and busy enough, she must oversee the music for McCartney’s party, too.

While Swift’s appearance may have been cause for celebration among some of the other guests, Butler confessed a different idol sent him into complete awe. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Meryl Streep in the same room as him.

“She’s just the greatest. I felt like, you know in high school when you have a crush on somebody and they’re across the room and you don’t really know how to say hello to them?” he said. “That’s how it was. I saw her there and I couldn’t believe I was in the same room.”

Too star-struck to approach the It’s Complicatedlead himself, Butler headed into McCartney’s kitchen to bide his time and eat some vegan pizza. Thankfully, his friend offered to introduce him and Streep.

“I couldn’t believe I was meeting Meryl Streep with Paul McCartney’s vegan pizza in my mouth,” Butler confessed.

He was then pulled into a circle of people he couldn’t pass the opportunity to spend time with. Butler was invited to “have tacos with Snoop Dogg and Robert De Niro.”

“I dropped everything I was doing and I was there in a heartbeat,” he told Kimmel.

Another crazy conversation Butler had was with Bruce Springsteen. The 74-year-old recounted a time when he was fearless, hopping the fence at Graceland to sing Elvis Presley a song.

Butler had heard rumors that Springsteen had done that but wasn’t sure it was true until he confirmed. Of course, Presley wasn’t there when Springsteen approached his front door.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Paige Spiranac gives hack for golfers with big boobs as she shares video of her swing in slow motion

Published

on

By

PAIGE SPIRANAC gave fans a hack for golfers with big boobs and shared slow motion video. The American has become a popular sports influencer since she stopped competing in 2017.

She has since carved out a successful career on social media with over 4million Instagram followers.

In a recent post on X, Paige gave tips for players on the course who have bigger busts.

She wrote: “I’ve been doing these slow mo videos and in all seriousness it’s wild seeing what my chest has to do through the swing so my arms can clear lol I can totally understand why women with larger chests who pick up the game feel stuck and uncomfortable.

Paige Spiranac gave fans a hack for golfers with big boobs

“My tip is under on the right arm and over the chest on the left at set up. Also stand a little farther away from the ball!”

Paige had just a brief year playing career but is now making huge amounts through social media.

Research from Vegas Insider suggests the 31-year-old earns as much as FOUR TIMES more per post than Scottie Scheffler.

Paige shared slow motion video for her legion of followers

The study estimates that Paige earns between $8,477 (£6,692) to $12,716 (£10,000) per post.

Scheffler, on the other hand, earns $2,000 (£1,578) to $3,000 (£2,368) per post.

Ten Times Paige Spiranac Drove Fans Wild on Instagram

Paige is also now inviting followers to join her on Passes, where her memberships run from £4 to £80 a month.

She announced the news on Instagram alongside some trademark racy photos.

A glimpse inside Paige Spiranac’s glamorous life…

Paige has carved out a successful career on social media

7Paige has carved out a successful career on social mediaCredit: Instagram @_paige.renee
She has over 4m Instagram followers

7She has over 4m Instagram followersCredit: X/PaigeSpiranac
Paige had just a brief year playing career

7Paige had just a brief year playing careerCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuhk-nWr6Q_/?hl=en
She stopped playing golf in 2017

7She stopped playing golf in 2017Credit: Instagram
She is now a big hit and earner on social media

7She is now a big hit and earner on social media
Continue Reading
September 2024
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  

Trending