Emma Raducanu makes ‘fire and desire’ claim as she opens up in her most honest interview yet

Emma Raducanu has taken part in one of her most revealing interviews yet, as she became the latest star name to sit down for the Sky Sports Editions series.
The series gives a candid access-all-areas look at some of the biggest personalities and change-makers in women’s sport as the athlete reflects on what has made them who they are today and shares insights into the highs and lows of their careers and lives.

Raducanu doesn’t give too many one-on-one interviews and this chat offers viewers an insight into her life off the court, her passion for art and a glimpse into how she believes her tennis is developing after undergoing three surgeries last year.

Here are the key quotes from Raducanu’s Sky Sports Editions show:

Do you feel you are growing as a player?
“I’ve been playing a lot freer in the last month, I’ve been expressing myself and I’ve been fighting, there’s been a lot of passion and I’ve been feisty. I just feel a real fire back and a desire. That is me, I’m really tenacious and gritty, and I feel like I’ve got my spark back which is what I’m most pleased about.”

How would you describe yourself on the court and off the court?
“I would describe myself as down to earth, determined and different.”

What have you been successful?

“From my perspective, people who are successful need to be single minded, approach tasks in a unique way. I’m pretty intellectually curious and I apply that to my trade as well.

“Off the court, I love to be mentally stimulated and constantly trying to learn and figure things out. I like to learn a new topic or studying something. Also for athletes, that’s not typical.”

Do you see yourself as a role model?

“I would love to be a role model for the younger crowd out there who are maybe very shy. I was for sure in that situation when I was younger. I just want to show them that is possible and that you can unlock a lot of opportunities and have really good moments and life experiences if you just put yourself out there a little bit.”

Emma Raducanu News
How do you relax away from tennis?

“The way I like to destress and relax off of the court is that I’ve become quite big into my art. Painting myself but also take more interest in going to galleries and looking at exhibitions. Then on the musical side, I’ve been picking up the piano as well. I find it a very good way to put all my emotions in one place and it’s a great outlet for me because day to day I have to put on a brave face a lot of the time. I think it’s just a great way to release everything.”

Do you see yourself as an artist?

“I consider myself an artist, even with what I do which is playing tennis, I mean we’re pretty much entertainers, we’re there to entertain the crowd and the public who are there watching us. They’re the ones who are spending their hard-earned money buying tickets to watch us play and it’s about creativity on the court. It’s about how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and setbacks, what shots and different geometry we can use on the court.

“So, I would say on the court we’re creators and off the court, I’m finding myself more and more attracted to the arts, piano and painting. So it’s more than just tennis and forehands and backhands. It’s like we’re playing piano on the court. I just play so much better when I’m happy and putting my personality out there.”