"We are not living and dying on a commission": Max Eisenbud clears up perceived pressure from sponsors surrounding Emma Raducanu
Tennis News
Max Eisenbud has spoken out about speculation that sponsorship deals are putting too much pressure on Emma Raducanu.
Following her win at the 2021 US Open at just 18 years old, Raducanu shot to fame almost overnight. In doing so, she not only gained a lot of fans and media attention but also a huge increase in sponsorship offers.
However, the Brit has struggled to re-gain the form that helped her to achieve her only Grand Slam title thus far, and a string of injuries and coaching changes have now seen her drop out of the top 100 in the WTA world rankings.
This season she was defeated in the second round of the Australian Open by Coco Gauff, before being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon following surgery on her wrists and ankle.
Read also
Eisenbud defends sponsorship deals
Max Eisenbud, who is Raducanu's agent and head of clients at IMG Tennis, clarified that the 20-year-old's drop in form was not caused by the pressure of too many sponsorship deals, as some fans had speculated.
Speaking to The Tennis Podcast, Eisenbud said that 'Our job is to educate' clients such as Raducanu on the deals available to them, and that there would be no point in burdening the tennis star with too many brands,
"I know, people want to say that the narrative – that IMG is bringing in all this money and making them take deals. Like, we are a pretty well-established company. We are not living and dying on a commission for Emma Raducanu. Our lights are going to stay on in the office," he said.
He then added that IMG wants what's best for its clients,
"We could have done a hundred deals. A hundred, okay? And she could be doing deals, and deals, and deals. They left millions and millions of dollars on the table.
"We don’t need that. We want to try to do the best thing for the client, and so, we have the client for a long time."
Read also
Eisenbud says pressure comes from within
Going on to speak about why the former world No. 10 might actually be feeling pressured, Eisenbud claimed it stems from Raducanu's desire to win again, not from the brands sponsoring her,
"I know people want to say, ‘Oh. The pressure. She’s got the pressure.’ I think the pressure she has is that she won a great tournament. She wants that feeling again, and she wants to keep winning. I don’t think she is waking up and being like, ‘Oh my God, HSBC is mad."
In fact, he went as far as to add that sponsors "couldn't have been more supportive even through the injury."
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









