Raducanu upset the percentages to change into the primary qualifier to win a grand slam in the course of the Open period on Saturday, beating fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez within the ultimate at Flushing Meadows.
Her breathtaking performances in New York got here off the again of a promising debut at Wimbledon simply two months earlier than, the place she reached the fourth spherical earlier than withdrawing with “respiration difficulties.”
“Completely sudden. By no means thought it might occur in my lifetime to see an 18 and 19-year-old do it,” McEnroe instructed CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, talking of the all-teen ultimate on the US Open.
“I believe the ladies’s recreation is extra open than it is ever been in order that’s an indication that much more gamers assume they’ve an opportunity.
“I can not think about anybody in her [Raducanu] camp anticipated this. To win the US Open with out dropping a set, that is loopy. She’s an incredible athlete, she looks as if an amazing child.”
Wimbledon controversy
Following Raducanu’s withdrawal from Wimbledon, McEnroe was criticized for saying the state of affairs had change into “an excessive amount of” for her.
On the time, it was not clear what made the teen cease taking part in, however she later stated the “complete expertise caught up with me” and that she started to “breathe closely and felt dizzy” after various “tremendous intense rallies.”
McEnroe acquired backlash from individuals saying he was questioning the teen’s psychological power however insists he by no means meant to trigger offense and solely ever supposed to assist the breakthrough star.
“I meant precisely what I stated,” he added. “I attempted to narrate it in a small strategy to my expertise once I first went to Wimbledon additionally at 18 and managed to qualify like Emma did.
“I performed Jimmy Connors, I hadn’t been on Centre Courtroom. I bear in mind my leg shaking and being completely overwhelmed by the expertise and nearly blissful I did not win.
“There’s lots of nice upsides, however there’s additionally stress you placed on your self and expectations that others placed on you.
“In comparison with lots of different issues I’ve stated prior to now, I imply that was to me as vanilla because it comes. I used to be very supportive of her, I assumed, on the time.”
The seven-time grand slam singles winner — who was famend for his mid-match antics — says he hopes Raducanu can cope with the newfound consideration on her profession.
{The teenager} was barely recognized exterior of tennis earlier than this yr however is now one of many greatest stars within the recreation.
“I do not assume you might probably do it any higher than she did it [at the U.S. Open],” McEnroe added. “That is insane that she’s been ready to do that.”
“After all, stress comes with that, expectation comes with that. I am positive she expects to win much more shifting ahead.”
