Once hailed as the future of women’s tennis, Emma Raducanu now finds herself at the center of a storm — not for her performance on the court, but for what critics claim is a career hijacked by commercial interests.
After her historic 2021 US Open victory, the then-18-year-old British star became a global sensation overnight. But instead of building on that momentum with steady progress on the tour, Raducanu’s appearances have been plagued by **injuries, early exits, and a packed calendar of luxury brand commitments**.
From Dior to Tiffany & Co., Porsche to HSBC, Raducanu’s sponsorship portfolio reportedly earned her upwards of **£12 million in endorsements** in 2024 alone — but fans are questioning the cost.
*”She’s not a tennis player anymore, she’s a walking billboard,”* one fan posted on social media. Another echoed the sentiment: *”She had the world at her feet — now she’s selling watches and skipping matches. What a waste.”*
The controversy deepened after her latest early-round loss at a lower-tier WTA event, where she looked visibly out of rhythm. Meanwhile, photos of her front-row appearance at Paris Fashion Week just days earlier circulated online, drawing ire from traditionalists who say she’s prioritizing red carpets over rackets.
Even tennis legends are weighing in. An unnamed former Grand Slam champion reportedly told a British tabloid, *“Emma needs to decide — does she want to be a global celebrity or a tennis champion? Right now, you can’t be both.”*
Raducanu, for her part, has kept her responses diplomatic. *“I’m grateful for the support I’ve received on and off the court. I’m learning how to balance it all and stay focused on my tennis,”* she said in a recent interview.
But the numbers tell a different story. Since her 2021 breakthrough, Raducanu has failed to reach another Grand Slam quarterfinal and has dropped well outside the WTA Top 100. And with each new endorsement deal, the backlash only grows.
Is she a victim of media pressure and corporate exploitation? Or has she willingly traded greatness for glamour?
Whatever the case, fans are divided — and Raducanu’s career crossroads has become one of the most talked-about sagas in modern tennis.
