"She needs to stay focused and I wish her luck" says Simona Halep on Emma Raducanu

Raducanu became one of the biggest tennis stars in the world by sensationally winning the 2021 US Open out of nowhere. She caught the eye of many tennis fans earlier in the year with a strong breakout at Wimbledon before retiring during her 4th round match. Many players have since spoken highly of the youngster praising her ability to win a grand slam at age 18 and one of her idols, Simona Halep had some words as well.

She said:

“I won my first Grand Slam late. I won tournaments before, but you cannot compare (that) with the success of (a) Grand Slam. I cannot really talk about that, but I feel like from my experience that you have to be extra focused after that (those) big successes, because you are so young and you don’t really have experience on winning titles, because I think (US Open 2021) was the first title for Emma, and (it) was a Grand Slam.”

Halep has a fair point and many players tend to struggle initially after winning their first grand slam with expectations and pressure increasing dramatically after that success. Raducanu lost her first match after the US Open showing that it will take time for the teenager to process all of that. Halep understand that and that's why she added:

“Yeah, I wish her luck. She has to stay focused, because, yeah, many, many years ahead of tennis, so I’m sure that she will win more. But, yeah, will be a little bit tough when she feels the pressure, I think.”

Both of them will play at the Transylvani Open and perhaps we weill see a match between them.