Spoty

[grumpy01]

Although I am not a fan I find it bizarre the BBC waited until the conclusion of the F1 season to decide if Lewis Hamilton should be on the shortlist to win this trophy.Why for example is Raheem Stirling on there can someone remind me what he won.

[jim360]

Ah, another misinformed rant. She's a sportsperson, and she knows it!

[Stickybottle]

Was that for me or CAC ?

[jim360]

Just to make a few points:

1. Her form since the US Open hasn't been great, but misses a few factors, such as that now being a Slam champion makes her more of a prize scalp for any opponent; or that last time out she was in fact playing very well in the face of an opponent on fire, before a minor injury caused her too many problems in the final set; or that maintaining season-long consistency is difficult in the best of times, let alone for somebody who has no previous tour-level experience.

2. She "changed her coach" in the sense that her US Open coach was only a temporary arrangement anyway. There was never any long-term prospects of their being together beyond the US Open. The press statement was unfortunately-worded, but the truth of the matter is still that they weren't going to stay together for very long anyway, and it was more about having a familiar face on Emma's first long overseas swing.

3. Raducanu's new hire, Torben Beltz, has impeccable pedigree so it'll be interesting to see how well they work together, but of course they'll need time together before judging.

4. The various sponsorship deals are important on their own, but Emma herself stressed that a red-line was that none of it should interfere with her on-court time. It's simply not true to say that she's lost focus, and certianly unfair to judge in on the back of a few tournaments shortly after becoming a record-breaking slam champion.

* * *

It was for CAC, but seems to apply to your post equally. Basically, people are too quick to write her off. 2022 I expect to be "disappointing" by the stellar accomplishments of this season, but it's more likely to be just a standard debut full season. It's only in 2023 and beyond that you can start to have a better idea of Emma's long-term future prospects, which in many people's eyes are still excellent.

[Stickybottle]

Jim360
It's simply not true to say that she's lost focus, and certianly unfair to judge in on the back of a few tournaments shortly after becoming a record-breaking slam champion.

But it IS true and in modern sport if you have reached a certain level as she did with the awesome win in the USA then suddenly fall off a cliff results-wise then questions will inevitably be asked
I wish her all the success in the world and yes winning that tournament at that age will bring its own pressure
This is where the true mettle of a top sportsperson is tested though
As I said she needs the right guiding hand at this tender age or I fear she will sink without trace

[jim360]

Time alone will tell, granted. But I'm confident that it's just the typical, temporary slump that most first-time winners experience.

She has played five competitive matches since the US Open, though, and only two of them can be described as having "disappointing" performances. Of the other three, she won two (including showing great fight from a set down), and only narrowly lost the third due as I said earlier to being hampered at the end by injury. I get that there are inevitably going to be questions, but the answer basically is that Emma's still in a learning phase and has plenty of time still to develop. Best to be patient.

[davebro]

told ya she would win!