‘It’s a joke’ – Emma Raducanu, 19, is taking on public pressure after falling in the second round of Wimbledon

EMMA RADUCANU crashed out of Wimbledon but says public pressure on her to win Slams every time is a ‘joke’

The 19-year-old Brit was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by French Caroline Garcia in what was only her second match on Center Court.

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Her next major-level appearance will be a title defense at the US Open in New York in late August.

When asked if she was ready to return as the defending champion after this exit from SW19, Raducanu said: “There is no pressure.

“For example, why is there pressure? I’m still 19. Like, it’s a joke. I literally won a slam.

“Yes, I got attention. But I’m a slam champion, so nobody’s gonna take that away from me.

“If anything, the pressure is on those who haven’t.

“Going back to New York is going to be cool because I’ve had a lot of experience playing on big pitches, playing with people in the stadium and playing in the spotlight.

“I do not mind. I mean, for me everything is learning. I embrace every single moment that is thrown at me.”

Raducanu, who will play in Washington in August, vowed to return to Wimbledon next year much stronger, only to lose this time.

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The Kent star said: “It’s just great for me to be able to get all these lessons at such a young age, so I can fix those problems or little glitches in my game when I’m in my mid-20s.

“I’m just getting better. I just look at what doesn’t work, where my weaknesses lie, improve them. That is good for me.

“These lessons come every week. It’s just a reminder that you have to do this, this, and that.

“It’s coming from different players, so it just makes it stand out. It’s just something that can be improved.”

Garcia, 28, lost in three sets to Raducanu on the hard courts of Indian Wells in March but responded by breaking the Brit’s heart on grass.

The world No. 55 believes Raducanu is no longer a surprise package on the WTA Tour, saying: ‘Obviously when you’re young and you’re stepping up nobody knows you.

“You always have positive points on your side because you can analyze your opponent very well and know how they are played.

“Most of the time it’s quite difficult to find good quality videos or games that you can see how they’re doing.

“Then everyone obviously knows you, especially when you’re doing well, which is the case with her.

“Obviously I learned a bit playing against them in the United States and trying to learn from my loss and do things better.”

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