MusaEmma Raducanu’s career has been anything but predictable. Since her jaw-dropping US Open win in 2021, the Brit has struggled to find consistent footing on the tour. Injuries, coaching carousel drama, and early exits have plagued her rise. Now, some pundits are sounding the alarm bells, warning that Raducanu might be unintentionally walking down a path once trodden by Maria Sharapova—a path of early peak, high expectations, and a career haunted by one unstoppable force: Serena Williams.
Sharapova, despite her immense talent and global stardom, never quite solved the Serena riddle. After beating Williams at Wimbledon in 2004, she never defeated her again, losing 19 consecutive matches. And while Sharapova remained a fierce competitor and five-time Grand Slam champion, the “Serena shadow” lingered over her legacy—especially in big moments.
Now comes Raducanu, with a similar spotlight and a mounting list of expectations. While there’s no Serena-like nemesis just yet, the fear is psychological: that Emma, like Maria, could find herself stuck in a cycle of hype, setbacks, and unmet potential. She’s already faced harsh media scrutiny, and her fragile health has made it hard to gain rhythm. The comparisons may be premature, but the warning signs are blinking red.
What makes this more ominous is how quickly the WTA landscape shifts. New contenders emerge monthly. If Raducanu doesn’t establish herself soon—mentally and physically—she could find herself playing catch-up in a race she once led.
Talent? Undeniable. Star power? Off the charts. But tennis is a brutal sport, and fairy tales don’t often get sequels. The ghosts of expectations past, embodied by Sharapova’s Serena woes, might just be lurking behind Emma’s shoulder. The question is: will she rise above them—or be haunted like those before her?
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Musa
