Emma Raducanu has described herself as an ‘artist’ and compared her struggles to the lady in an iconic painting by Pablo Picasso.
Raducanu insists a ‘fire’ is burning inside her again as she heads into the US Open, three years on from her victory in New York.
The 21-year-old has struggled with injury and consistency since. And she sees parallels in her life with Girl Before a Mirror, which is in Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art.
It depicts a woman and her reflection, with Raducanu claiming it is the piece of art she would most like to own.
‘It’s really relatable because the girl who is looking in the mirror is lighter than the reflection,’ she told Sky Sports. ‘
Emma Raducanu has described herself as an ‘artist’ ahead of her involvement at the US Open
Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, insists that a fire is burning inside her again
Raducanu sees parallels in her life with Girl Before a Mirror, which was painted by Picasso
‘At times in my life I’ve felt that way. I consider myself an artist, because even playing tennis, we’re entertainers. It’s about our creativity on the court, how we construct the points, how we deal with different situations and setbacks and it is more than just tennis.
‘It’s almost like playing the piano when we’re on the court, it’s how we express ourselves.’
Raducanu begins her US Open campaign against America’s Sofia Kenin.
Since winning it in 2021, the Brit believes she has been ‘playing a role’, but the piano has helped her rediscover herself.
‘I find it a very good way to put all my emotions in one place,’ she said. ‘I put on a brave face a lot of the time. It’s a great way to release everything.’
World No 1 Jannik Sinner has denied he got special treatment — and insists his conscience is clean — after he avoided a ban, despite twice testing positive for clostebol.
‘Every player who tests positive has to go through the same process,’ the Italian said. ‘There is no shortcut, no different treatment, they are all the same process.’
