Emma Raducanu says she is just like any other teen when it comes to her parents' involvement
- Michael Schmitt
- 2 August 2022
US Open champion Emma Raducanu has defended her mum and dad's involvement in her career, saying they are no different from the parents of any other teenage daughter.
While Raducanu's parents are not officially part of her management or coaching team, they often travel with her on tour to offer their support.Ā
The 19-year-old is currently in Washington DC for the start of the US Open swing and her mum has made the trip to the United States with her.
Unsurprisingly, considering her young age, Raducanu appreciates the fact that her parents still accompany her on long trips away from home.
She also admitted that her mother is concerned about the pressures she faces after being thrust into the limelight at such a young age following her remarkable US Open win last year.
"Well, I am pretty young," she said when asked about her parents' involvement.
"Like, some longer trips, my mum might travel, my dad.
"I think that my mum just sees me as her 19-year-old daughter who has kind of been just like thrust upon everything. She likes to be there for me if I ever need reassurance.
"I think they're just as involved as any parents really who have a teen daughter.
"I think whether that's a regular uni student asking them for advice, where to go to do the summer school or internship or whatever, they're just as involved, it's just in a completely different profession."
Raducanu also revealed that she had an interest in "intelligence" and was looking forward to seeing the Pentagon during her time in Washington.
A doubles debut on Tour for @EmmaRaducanu šš
ā wta (@WTA) August 1, 2022
Teaming up with Clara Tauson in Washington to take on No.3 seeds Hradecka/Niculescu!#CitiOpen pic.twitter.com/2OiJgrPkfb
"One thing I've already seen is Georgetown. I had a friend who went to the uni there. I walked around campus. It was really pretty.
"I also want to see the Pentagon. I think that's really good," she revealed.
"I'm really interested in, intelligence, as well. That would be one thing that I'd want to see before leaving D.C."
Raducanu will make her singles debut at the Citi Open on Tuesday against qualifier Louisa Chirico.
She was initially scheduled to face Marie Bouzkova, but the Czech player was unable to make the match after making it all the way to the final and winning the Prague Open on Sunday.
Raducanu made her professional doubles debut on Monday alongside fellow teenager Clara Tauson but they fell at the first hurdle, going down 6-4 6-1 to Romanian Monica Niculescu and the Czech Republic's Lucie Hradecka in the opening round.
