Emma Raducanu's abandonment during her match against Ajla Tomljanovic at Wimbledon was one of the highlights of Monday's day at Wimbledon. The young British tennis player, who put the British fans in the pocket at 18, left due to respiratory problems against Ajla Tomljanovic, possibly as a result of nerves and the pressure of playing in one of the great stages of the tournament despite his youth . The tournament organization itself confirmed early in the morning on Tuesday that the abandonment occurred due to “respiratory problems” and that, for that reason, it did not give a press conference or make statements to the tournament.
Former tennis player John McEnroe, who acts as a commentator for the tournament on the BBC, made a statement in which he doubted whether Raducanu knew how to handle this type of situation. “I feel bad for Emma, of course. But she seems to have been overcome. It is understandable, and more so after what has been said in recent weeks on the subject of Osaka. ¿How many players can handle the situation? This makes us see the boys and girls who have controlled it for so long. I hope she learns from this experience. “
However, McEnroe believes that the episode suffered by Raducanu is not a shame and believes that the British should learn from this situation. “I don't think it helped him that the previous game dragged on so long, that made him think more. That is very difficult to assume, especially when you have never been in this situation. Perhaps it is not a shame that this happened to him when he was 18 years old. I played this tournament at 18 and was happy despite losing. I understood what I had to do. “
One of the first to react to McEnroe's words was Raducanu's rival, the Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, that described as “very harsh” the statements of the American tennis player. “I can't put his shoes on at 18 playing a round of 16 in your own country. It's something I would never imagine. For McEnroe to say this is very harsh. I have experienced something similar but not of this magnitude. I know it is something real. I have spoken with athletes who have been through this and it is not easy. “
I didn’t realize John McEnroe was medically qualified or that he has X-ray vision! I hope Emma Raducanu is ok and wish her a speedy recovery. Did her country proud ????????
– Dr Alex (@DrAlexGeorge) July 5, 2021
Listening to the John McEnroe commentary about Emma Raducanu. Two things: 1. Is he drunk? 2. Is there anything more annoying than a man telling a woman she’s not hurt she’s just emotional? No, there isn't. Please ask him to stop. #Wimbledon
– Harriet Minter (@HarrietMinter) July 5, 2021
Social media also erupted at McEnroe for his comments about Raducanu. “I had not realized that John McEnroe has a medical degree or X-ray vision! I hope Emma Raducanu is well and has a speedy recovery. Her country is proud of her.” wrote physician Alex George. In a similar vein, the journalist Harriet Minter showed herself: “I have heard John McEnroe's comments about Emma Raducanu. Two things: Is he drunk? Is there anything more annoying than a man telling a woman that she is not hurt, but that everything is emotional? No, there is not. For Please tell him to stop. “
Raducanu finally explains himself on Twitter
Emma raducanu, who did not want or could not speak to the press or the tournament after abandoning to Tomljanovic, He tweeted a short statement talking about what happened to him: “I'm so much better. I played the best tennis of my life from an amazing crowd this week and I think the whole experience got me. At the end of the first set, after some super intense exchanges, I started to breathe heavily and feel dizzy. The medical team advised me not to continue “, wrote Raducanu, who assures that she will return “stronger” and that last night will help her “to understand what is necessary to compete at this level”.