"Is any other player this relentlessly and unfairly scrutinised by the media?": Emma Raducanu Dubai party blame for Doha loss slammed by tennis fans

Emma Raducanu received support from fans after attending a party in Dubai two days before her debut at the Qatar Open. The 2021 US Open champion suffered a tough defeat in the first round of Doha, being bageled by Anhelina Kalinina (6-0, 7-6), in her lowest-performing match since returning to the WTA Tour.

The British player faced harsh criticism from fans after four tournaments without consecutive victories, with a 3-4 record in 2024.

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Recently, Stuart Fraser of The Times wrote an article criticizing Raducanu's participation in the opening party of a luxury hotel. The event was attended by figures like Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, and Vanessa Hudgens.

Stuart opined that Raducanu's attendance at the party was to blame for her performance at the Qatar Open:

"Emma Raducanu reasonably described some of the criticism about her sponsorship duties as ‘unfair’, but questions have to be asked about her preparation for the Qatar Open. Less than 48 hours after attending a hotel launch in Dubai, she was bageled in Doha," he wrote on X.

Stuart Fraser

@stu_fraser

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Emma Raducanu reasonably described some of the criticism about her sponsorship duties as "unfair", but questions have to be asked about her preparation for the Qatar Open. Less than 48 hours after attending a hotel launch in Dubai, she was bagelled in Doha thetimes.co.uk/article/emma-r…

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Emma Raducanu criticised after attending glamorous opening in Dubai days before Qatar Open thrashing by Anhelina Kalinina

However, many tennis fans disagreed with the criticism, considering it unjustified to think that Raducanu shouldn't participate in such events. Here are some fan comments:

"Is any other player this relentlessly and unfairly scrutinised by the media? Its not like she was hungover and throwing up in today's match because she was recently at a party. Just had no feel for the conditions. Give her space, let her play," one fan wrote.

Gavin 🫡

@gavinnightmair

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Is any other player this relentlessly and unfairly scrutinised by the media? Its not like she was hungover and throwing up in today's match because she was recently at a party. Just had no feel for the conditions. Give her space, let her play.

Stuart Fraser

@stu_fraser

Emma Raducanu reasonably described some of the criticism about her sponsorship duties as "unfair", but questions have to be asked about her preparation for the Qatar Open. Less than 48 hours after attending a hotel launch in Dubai, she was bagelled in Doha thetimes.co.uk/article/emma-r…

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"I get that British press loves to cover British players, but feels like Raducanu could stand to benefit from less coverage. She’s 262 in the world; we don’t have to cover her like she’s #1," another fan said.

Emma Raducanu Fans

@RaducanuNews

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Replying to @stu_fraser

One big sigh. It took just 4 tournaments after Emma came back after multiple surgeries for this kind of 'article' to re-appear. Disappointing.

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Autistic Tennis Fan 🐝

@AutisticTennis

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Replying to @tennisnation

British press loves nothing more than bashing its own players. Ridiculously high expectations and constant rage-bait.

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depressed ons fan 🔻

@downthreebreaks

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Replying to @stu_fraser

this isn’t news and it’s definitely not an angle. get a real job

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James a.k.a Tennis Ranter

@Tennisranter

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Replying to @stu_fraser

Sorry @stu_fraser I like your work but this is gutter press stuff you've created here. At a time where we need to support Emma getting back from serious surgery publishing this is the wrong decision and a miscalculation.

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JohneditorLDN

@JohneditorLDN

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Replying to @stu_fraser

Stuart you still don’t get it with Emma? She has done it. Now it’s about what she wants to do, if she progresses in comps or not, this is no longer the priority. And actually Emma is correct. What the other girls suffer on tour is beyond words. Let her enjoy life.

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Trishen Naidoo

@trishen_n

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Replying to @stu_fraser

She could literally stay in the hotel take a helicopter to Qatar dayily if she wanted it's that close , She changed some technical parts of her game ,her forehand is hitting more winners but also more UF errors she played her last 3 matches super agreesive and it work only once.

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