Six-time Wimbledon champ hails Emma Raducanu as she says ‘nobody comes close’ and tells star to ignore critics
TENNIS legend Billie Jean King has encouraged Emma Raducanu to ignore the critics and to remember she will always have the 2021 US Open title to her name.
The 12-time major champion praised Raducanu's achievements and described her as a "great representative" for women's tennis.
The 20-year-old is currently out of action as she recovers from her surgeries on both wrists and ankle.
As a result of her injuries she hasn't been on the court since April and her world ranking has dropped to 131st.
Reflecting on Emma's iconic US Open win Jean King said: "When Emma Raducanu won it was fantastic, I think Emma has done so well. Just think about this, she won 10 matches in a row, she did not lose a set. She won every single one of those 10 matches in straight sets. I don't think anyone comes close to that.
"As she gets older, no matter what happens to her life she'll always have this US Open title - always and forever. And the way she did it: Wow! It's amazing."
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The four-time US Open winner hopes Raducanu can return to full fitness ahead of this year's US Open which commences on August 28.
Jean King, speaking to , added: "But I hope she continues to play, I hope she gets over injuries and comes back and really does well in tennis and particularly in the US Open because she's won that one now, and the way she won it is still amazing, so I hope she keeps playing."
Raducanu deleted her social media earlier this year after realising negativity is something that comes with using the platforms.
She's signed multiple luxury brand partnerships including Dior, British Airways and Tiffany & Co and received some backlash from critics on social media urging her to stop these deals from distracting from her tennis.
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Aware of the social media criticism Raducanu receives, Jean King said: "I just know it's gotten tough for her.
"I just hope that she'll be alright because it's tough, if you want to be a professional athlete, it's tough.
"And you've got to learn not to listen to criticism, you got to learn all these things and that's why I say don't take anything personally because once you learn that, you're okay. And if people are bullying you on social media you've got to stop looking at it or get some way to finish up, it's really important."
