(Provided by Tennis World USA)
WTA icon and founder Billie Jean King is urging Emma Raducanu to reach out for professional help if she is struggling with her mental health.Raducanu, who is just 20 years old, became globally famous overnight after her stunning run to the 2021 US Open title.But soon after she experienced the very negative side of fame as she started to deal with major criticism and scrutiny after starting to battle injuries and poor form.Recently, Raducanu admitted she was “naive” when she first came on the Tour and being “burnt a few times by tennis sharks.”“What do they expect? It is going to be difficult, but you’ve chosen to be a professional athlete.
With that goes certain things that you have to look at. It’s competitive. You have to ask for help if you need it. We [athletes] are used to stiff upper lip, be tough. No. On the court maybe, but off the court, you need help.
Ask for what you want and need. Girls are socialized not to do that. Have you ever noticed that girls have a hard time to ask for what they want and what they need? And they need to step up and ask for it,” King told CNN.
King urges Raducanu to seek help if she needs it
Shortly after her impressive US Open triumph, Raducanu became a global ambassador for some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious brands.During that period, life seemed to be perfect for Raducanu.But then, she experienced the very negative side of fame.
“I had to mature very quickly. When I won I was extremely naive. What I have realised in the past two years, the tour and everything that comes with it, it’s not a very nice, trusting and safe space. You have to be on guard because there are a lot of sharks out there.
I think people in the industry, especially with me because I was 19, now 20, they see me as a piggy bank. It has been difficult to navigate. I have been burnt a few times. I have learnt, keep your circle as small as possible,” Raducanu told The Sunday Times
