Chris Evert defends Emma Raducanu after stunning Madrid press conference
Tennis legend Chris Evert is urging people “not to make a big deal” out of Emma Raducanu’s stunning Madrid press conference that ended with a WTA official stepping in and calling it a day. During her pre-tournament press conference in Madrid, Raducanu was asked 16 questions by British journalists.
Raducanu had a total of 58 words in response to those 16 questions. Evert, a former 18-time Grand Slam champion, says every tennis player has a day like that when they are just not in the mood to speak. “In her defense, every one of us has had a day, or a press conference like this – don’t make it such a big deal,” Evert tweeted.
Raducanu pulled out of Madrid
The day after Raducanu’s press conference made all the headlines, the Briton pulled out of Madrid.
On Wednesday, Raducanu was scheduled to play Viktoriya Tomova in the Madrid first round but an injury to her right hand forced her to pull out. Raducanu has been dealing with a wrist injury since late 2022 and she provided more details on the issue in Miami.
“It’s something I’ve been managing for some time. I just need to review after this tournament really and figure out what my next steps are. We have been managing it, keeping on top of it. I’m able to play in the short-term.
But the current solutions aren’t very viable long-term,” Raducanu said after exiting Miami. Earlier this month, Raducanu skipped the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers because she didn’t want to make quick changes from hard to clay.
“Because of my existing injuries, the best medical advice was to not switch surfaces at such short notice. So that’s what I’ve been told. Of course I would love to play the Billie Jean King Cup. It’s just this scenario is not the best for my body.
I really need to look after myself and do what’s best for me on the match court,” Raducanu explained. Unfortunately for Raducanu, that move didn’t help as she is seemingly still bothered very much by a wrist injury.
