Annabel Croft: Emma Raducanu was 'born to be a champion'

Former professional British tennis player Annabel Croft says Emma Raducanu is a 'breath of fresh air' who's taken her game to a 'new level' on winning the US Open.
Croft also said she thought this was 'the very beginning of what is going to be an amazing career'.
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[@AysenurToptas]

Her parents must have been thought her to cultivate good thoughts about herself and about others like respect, kindness and dignity. If she had been raised with 'win no matter what' mentality, she wouldn't have this much joy, this much shine! She has a very kind and very strong soul!

[@kazitude1]

When one comes from a loving and supportive family, the odds for success increase expendentially

[@TheEulerID]

Very insightful of Annabel to compare her to Yvonne Goolagong who did, indeed, have that joyful approach to tennis. I'm just surprised she's old enough to remember.

[@Pindi44]

What a delightful young lady, congratulations to her parents for bringing up such a radiant person.

[@user-kq5qp6dh8l]

She’s been beamed down from heaven.

[@albertochoa7331]

I agree: Touch by the almighty Hand of the LORD GOD

[@joedias7946]

Beamed in from Toronto mate

[@bobbobness4479]

What a clearly brilliant wonderful deserving sports woman

[@Gaz-Lazaruz]

Yeah, great to see rich spoilt brats become even richer spoilt brats.

[@rule3036]

Wow Annabel Croft is still a stunning Lady🙂

[@naveenrana4976]

She's just AMAZING...I love and admire her so much! ❤️

[@SerG-ez2po]

@Kushty Mckush what a sad clown...get a life clown

[@Lifeskeyishappiness]

@Kushty Mckush Who's to say she doesn't do "humanitarian things" as well

[@jasminebali8068]

Yeah she works with homeless people plus in several charity shops! Not 2 mention finding a cure 4 several terminal illnesses! She is The Peoples Princess alright! Just not sure what country of people that is?

[@Kungfoopoo]

Congrats to her, she got a bright future 👏

[@johnaerial]

Quote Annabel: "Just what the doctor ordered in the world right now".

[@Gaz-Lazaruz]

I would of thought it was what Prince Andrews ordered from epstein.

[@PhilUKNet]

Agree with everything that's being said about her. Just surprised, given her ancestry, that no one has mentioned Ilie Năstase. Another great player and fans' favourite.

[@kevinprior3549]

Croft still looks great

[@grumblewoof4721]

I watched, open mouthed at her progression in the US open and the dazzling final. Clearly she has a natural talent but as always it opens up the question of nature versus nurture. I'd say 50/50 is more likely.

[@andrasbodo]

let's not forget her education in math and other curriculum, work ethics, and everything else besides physical readiness...attitude, attitude, not spoiled... Emma is more mature than Donal Trump a million times over...Trump is competitive but was/is a spoiled brat !

[@grumblewoof4721]

@@andrasbodo I find it odd when Trump finds his way into conversations comparing with others education, work ethics, physical and mental readiness and privilege etc... Trump is not in Emma's league on any level, no comparison in my honest opinion.

[@guru6831]

@@andrasbodo Numbskull.

[@guru6831]

@@grumblewoof4721 Dolt.

[@roastnut]

@@andrasbodo How did Donald Trump insert himself into this conversation...?! Leave him well out of this

[@roter13]

And as soon as she loses, the critics will pop up. The British press loves tearing down their own.

[@fishandchips9033]

Roter13 Well said.

[@royceskepagny6182]

Unfortunately, so true. Maybe, the British tabloids will back off but I’m not hopeful.

[@charliesfullofshit7268]

Very true.

[@mufasasdaughter4831]

Exactly

[@andystacey2687]

I hope not but it would not surprise me!

[@neilmustow368]

Breath of fresh air well spoken words well done to Emma👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@niguel4438]

Anabel still a stunner!

[@joedias7946]

Might be a good looking and nothing else and in awe of Somebody else.

[@gerardmackay8909]

Annabelle Croft is amazing for 55 and so articulate and pleasant with it. Top lady

[@henrysg-iPhone14]

Just love Emma.

[@alberttsui6582]

Annabel nailed it. Emma is a good communicator, no script and no mutters, handle so at ease, at least at this moment, not sure in future when there are so many sponsorship and commercial commitments attached

[@chuanliu2510]

I have been following Emma on all news media about her. It looks like that I am going to read news from UK more often.

[@jasminebali8068]

Stalker ALERT!

[@guyrestivo]

congrats to Emma in winning the US OPEN (also Leila) and showing the tennis world what hard work,drive,discipline,hunger and motivation can achieve...great consistent shotmaking from both players which i haven't seen for many years...I guess many players get use to mediocrity and endorsements as years go by but these 2 girls showed the world what great tennis can be....and yes i fear for their futures with all the endorsements coming their way--i hope their tennis doesnt suffer----that would be a sad for the tennis world....tennis needs a great champion--not another endorsement superstar

[@nuttydoctor612]

Advice: keep people like piers Morgan off her back.

[@corneliuscornia4436]

She will have him for breakfast, Romanian are tough people.😀

[@Spike123.98]

@@corneliuscornia4436 she’s British.

[@Gaz-Lazaruz]

More Worried about Prince Andrew been on her back to be honest. The only reason the royals enjoy tennis so much is that there is no Age entery limits. Much like Buckenham Palace i suppose.

[@Gaz-Lazaruz]

@@Spike123.98 hahahahahahahaha... oh ... haven't laughed that long in a long time

[@Bauer2sPro]

Piers Morgan, who is she?

[@robin212212]

The probability of another qualifier winning the US Open in our lifetimes is pretty close to 0.

[@bizda_eng_arzoni]

It is our duty to preserve nature. We need to be a great force in conserving nature.

[@lifestapestry2968]

A tennis genius , she's going to stride miles ahead of the existing women tennis players. She's setting a new standard.

[@bogdanoprea5203]

She will win. F all from now Not even 250 points tournament

[@ashfuller3480]

There is a lot of media buzz around someone I've never heard of before three days ago

[@iamshadowbanned699]

What she achieved as a tennis player is unprecedented and almost impossible. Plus she is good-looking and has a great personality - a sponsor's dream.

[@albertochoa7331]

She is good and it shows. Big Time.

[@corneliuscornia4436]

The Nadia Comaneci of tennis.🇷🇴🇷🇴👍👍

[@andythoms8130]

I remember thinking omg what a lightweight when she had to drop out of wimbledon to my shame, eating my humble pie and will stfu gladly.

[@robertlower6212]

No I think English tennis has suffered for having all those middle class players over the years! They have not had the drive and stamina! Here we have Emma who has the complete package to succeed and she can go far! So long as she is not hampered with injuries like so many of our past English players! We have got to revel in her success!

[@ijust264]

Day 2 of having an international sporting celebrity

[@matthewhackett1710]

haha, indeed. A long wait for something that is wholesome to celebrate. Just waiting for P Patel to send her back to Canada.

[@ijust264]

@@matthewhackett1710 We’ve had international sporting celebrities before...but this is the purest of the pure

[@joedias7946]

@@ijust264 like a pure immigrant. I don't what is pure Pure English mixed with Chinese and Romania.

[@mookie449]

She's the anti Osaka.

[@ghsense2626]

They will have a brilliant rivalry for the next 10 years unless Osaka has a longer mental breakdown.

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

@@ghsense2626 Osaka's mental issues couldn't have come at a worse time for her,she better get a grip quickly or she'll soon be history as the world goes gaga over Emma!

[@a.pvoiceofuigharchinesesup3589]

She is a sweet young talented lady but please don’t make her a show piece Her talent speaks for itself not her body

[@robin212212]

fyi, that building that her picture is in front of is Madison Square Garden.

[@HassanAhmed-fs1qj]

Emma has brought the trophy 🏆 home she is superstar at moment we all know media when Wimbledon comes if she play badly will she still be English 🌹

[@joedias7946]

The hypocrites will say she is Eurasian.

[@yudiyudi9616]

cheerfull player

[@carlosabreu8030]

THE NEW SHARAPOVA. I STAR TO SEE TENNIS AGAIN.

[@crazycatpetera1404]

No, She’s the first Emma Raducanu and there’s only one Maria Sharapova. But I agree for a marketing perspective, similar proposition to Sharapova - intelligent, beautiful, teen major champion, fluent in 2 prominent languages and very likeable.

[@roter13]

Hopefully with no doping.

[@crazycatpetera1404]

@@roter13 meldonium is the equivalent of aspirin, don’t be so naive 😂

[@ghsense2626]

@@crazycatpetera1404 I think she might be bigger than Sharapova solely because of the potential of the Chinese market

[@crazycatpetera1404]

@@ghsense2626 Potentially, although Maria also had a lot of fans in a China. But she’s exceptionally marketable that’s for sure

[@mikelm222]

Yes, Emma is amazing - truly inspiring but as serine as Yvonne Goolagong ? I don't think so. There are matches with her here on youtube - check them out. Back then it was a different age and a different game so comparisons are not easy but for me Yvonne was a beautiful & unique one off. Emma is too, but with her own unique style.

[@freebox23]

A big contrast with Osaka...

[@PickleThePig]

Born in Canada to be a champ

[@daveoliver5838]

Press conferences and media interviews - Emma is full of confidence, must be something in the Canadian water or air. British born ones seems to freeze and get scared.

[@fishandchips9033]

@@daveoliver5838 Not scared or freeze just crap.

[@dontennis2260]

Next year will be tough for her. All the players will share notes on her. She took the tour by storm. No one knew her game. Next year will be much different. Expect alot of losses.

[@guyrestivo]

i think your wrong..her consisteny with great shotmaking shows shes got incredible talent which her opponents lack

[@gerardmackay8909]

No expect them to cack themselves wondering how to cope with her return of serve

[@fishandchips9033]

@@gerardmackay8909 She won't win anymore slams. Britain needs to find another good tennis player and not focus on only one player.

[@gerardmackay8909]

@@fishandchips9033 yes forget every expert player/commentator/ journalist who are bigging this girl up. It’s now official ‘fish and chips’ tapping away in his/her bedroom in the family home says no more slams. Martina eat humble pie please it’s not happening cos Fish and chips says so

[@tommykaira8775]

Guess what: her journey has just got started.

[@f1b1777]

I hope she has a thick skin and she has Good people around her protect her from ALL of US ! ( the clever people will get what I mean )

[@BOZ_11]

hear hear

[@corneliuscornia4436]

She has in Romania a lovely family still ,they are very close and been always llike that.

[@petesmitt]

@@corneliuscornia4436 family in China too.. all will be claiming her.

[@corneliuscornia4436]

@@petesmitt Good😀

[@properjob2311]

Let's hope she doesn't turn all woke like Lewis Hamilton and Naomi Osaka. Stay focused on the sport and she will excel. She is great role model and example to the youth.

[@iamshadowbanned699]

I agree. I hope she keeps politics and tennis seperate.

[@bertielutton5586]

Typical.Perish the thought that she might not have your right wing views.Poor girl

[@iamshadowbanned699]

@@bertielutton5586 Forget about left-wing or right-wing politics or whatever. We just don't like mixing politics with sports. Is that so hard to understand?

[@dazza9326]

Sadly this is what she's going to experience going forward.......

[@johnread2250]

Put that in your pipe Piers!

[@cgmat7804]

I have never seen so many "former British No. 1 tennis players" in all my life, all over the media....

[@wetincornwall6882]

Hopefully, we'll never ever know her politics.

[@joedias7946]

Not like yours politics of the Status quo.

[@petermeichan3160]

her strong Romanian genes powered her through

[@corneliuscornia4436]

Exactly my point,I have experienced that first hand😀👍

[@royceskepagny6182]

Perhaps, it was her strong Chinese genes, as well.

[@jasminebali8068]

Canada STRONG!

[@petermeichan3160]

@@corneliuscornia4436 no English loser genes

[@d347b2]

@@petermeichan3160 she's English. stay mad as she continues to win for England with pride for the next 15 years.

[@EMA-uk5ob]

she should get rid of nike

[@Bambotb]

Sure but without the right environment nothing gets done...

[@1rustyboy1]

Easy to say now 😂

[@ds8680]

Chinese Top!

[@DuncanEduardo]

Maybe ordinary citizens but not Xi Jinping and his corrupt cronies. Not much to be proud of there

[@ds8680]

@@DuncanEduardo Romanian Father and Chinese Mother is British, because she wins? Nationality means nothing. If so she's rather a canadian than!

[@d347b2]

@@ds8680 not because she wins, because she presents herself as English. no Romanian or Chinese person had heard of her before she was winning, trying to stake a claim to an English girl from Bromley.

[@vtechead1]

Was it a plan all along to withdraw her from Wimbeldon ? If she had progressed there, she would have entered the US Open on a much higher rating. She’s been playing the shy teenager act throughout the competition, and now that the job is done, she is coming across as totally in control of what is going on and what lays ahead. She has been held back from too much exposure and primed for the US Open. Don’t show too much talent, then boom- slay the Open.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

Everyone has to make everything a conspiracy. She was focussing on her A-Level exams, in which she got very good results, which meant she only had a few weeks before Wimbledon to focus on tennis. However, she has been free to totally focus on tennis since. That's the story, not some marketing conspiracy. Also, winning Wimbledon out of nowhere would have been just as big a story if not bigger as she was completely unknown then.

[@melgrant7404]

@@AnyoneCanSee but she bottled it

[@scottread]

@@melgrant7404 actually she just lacked match fitness at Wimbledon, which she'd developed by the time she got to the US Open.

[@monstabitta]

This guy thinks people are robots! They programmed Emma to lose in 4th round and then win US Open regardless of her opponents. They know exactly what Emma will do in 10 years.

[@vtechead1]

@@scottread funny they claimed it was her ‘mental health ‘ that was the problem.

[@Noisemansoundinsect]

Creepy

[@davidz2562]

Her career could be sunk if just one of the thousand top male players decides to self-identify as female.

[@groomys67]

Damn, beautiful Annabel Croft has turned into an old woman.

[@thelastapeman]

She is still an amazingly beautiful woman!!

[@mufasasdaughter4831]

Born to be a champion 🤣🤣🤣 how does she know that. A lot of us open winners never repeated their success. Speaking too soon ma'am

[@bertielutton5586]

I agree...she has worked very very hard and the signs are good for her but the tennis World is full of young one grand slam champions who are finding it hard to be consistent enough to make sweeping statements that Croft has made.At least Raducanu is probably intelliegent enough to realise this.Croft isn't and that is probably why she was a 'never was' tennis 'star'

[@michaelkensington2494]

Leylah s fans are the worsr.

[@mufasasdaughter4831]

I just know it. I have predicted 3 big ones to date so stfu

[@mufasasdaughter4831]

@@michaelkensington2494 Stay mad, coz she gonna be bigger than yo fave.

[@michaelkensington2494]

@@mufasasdaughter4831 🤣 she cant even return Emma's shots.

[@garth56]

Her grammar is pants just like her parents who now can take a pat on the back for ruining her game..Emma had no hope because of greed and I suspect her father is to blame!!!

[@robertsmith4520]

Annabel who.

[@randyschwaggins]

Even if she loses 1st round at every other major she has done more in 1 year than people like Annabel Croft did in her entire career....hope she gets her OBE this year!

[@Valhalla88888]

Passport for hire

[@robert5414]

@@Moondust-tj4oe She was born in Canada.

[@reresimone4300]

if only she could STOP saying isn’t it????? every other word. come on, u are not 15…

[@ronduz1281]

Leylah had tougher competitors on the route to the final

[@terryandrews49]

clearly not. she did not lose to them.

[@ftumschk]

@@terryandrews49 ... and Raducanu, as a qualifier, had to play three more matches than Fernández.

[@ronduz1281]

@@Moondust-tj4oe no it doesn’t hopefully she’s not a one hit wonder

[@S3aChange]

I can't wait to hear Emma's political opinions shoved down our throats soon.

[@guyrestivo]

the media will exploit her and try to drag her down to their level..the media is evil and corrupt

[@petesmitt]

funny how Canadians, Romanians and Chinese are claiming this British tennis champion..

[@terryandrews49]

They have all had a part to play in her life, and she is reported to use a Canadian passport. Which is probably more respected in more countries than a British one.

[@jakethompson4596]

Romanian father and Chinese mother british number 1 lol

[@alanrogers1963]

So

[@davidjames3080]

And? Care to elaborate further on your racist views?

[@glenncurley680]

I'm not trying to be negative, but to win 10 matches at that level without dropping a set is very lucky! She hits the ball well but so does 100 other Gals!

[@ABC-dw7pe]

Luck had nothing to do with it. She totally swept aside players who on paper should have done the same to her.

[@fishandchips9033]

@@ABC-dw7pe It everything to do with it. If the world's best weren't knocked out do u still think she would have still won?. Don't be thick.

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

@@fishandchips9033 well clearly not the world's best then if they got knocked out early!🤣

[@harrycalla]

Never to be seen again. 🤣🤣 1 hit wonder.

[@fishandchips9033]

Scott Mills Well said. She won't win slams ever again..

[@monstabitta]

@@fishandchips9033 and here we have 2 prophets 😅😅

[@davidjames3080]

Spoken by a man who has achieved feck all, and is talking to the bottom of his special brew can.

[@jimmyconway9444]

Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame.

[@iamshadowbanned699]

Better a "has been" than a never was.

[@user-bv5wl6pr3k]

her tennis ?!. Its not something to be reckon with!!!? she's verry mature ??! for an 18 year old!!!??.. She is a new champion !???. . for the years to come !!! but she has to keep her personality !!?clean and clear!!?? ..down to earth !!!!!??. dont over estimate??. her abilities!!? because! they're wins and losses , .ahead of her???!!! in the semi final?! ..she had everything !!! on her side?!!! maria sakkari??!!! played a terrible match ???!! 50 percent !? bellow her standards ???!!! wish her all the best !! in the future !!!? she's young , she's smart?! she is very good looking!!!. she has all it takes ??!. to be a champion !!!!? of the future!!!!?..

[@wolfiestreet6899]

Blowing too much smoke up her backside too soon. It'll all end in tears.

[@user-gu1un7pb7k]

It's typical of British media, they're so desperate for a tennis star that they pile so much pressure on their players who show promise. Look at all the other Western countries, USA, France, Spain, etc... They are used to stars and as such the media don't go crazy over young potential players they just let them succeed naturally. UK media will never learn though.

[@ay613]

this would have happened in any country in the same circumstances.

[@user-gu1un7pb7k]

@@ay613 Equally, the treatment from the British media would've been the same had it just been a regular slam win by a British player. The circumstances Emma finds herself in are unique yes but this kind of reaction is not unique from British media when it comes to their players having any success.

[@crazycatpetera1404]

@@user-gu1un7pb7k how many of them won a major without dropping a set as an 18 year old qualifier?

[@ABC-dw7pe]

What a pathetic take in proceedings - she’s already a legend as she has won a major title but she has done so as a qualifier at 18 - the hype is justified because that is an outstandingly hard achievement. What should the mood be then?

[@stevefowler3398]

Let's not get carried away folks. It was a great win for sure. And she is a lovely young lady. BUT. Is does she really have the weapons to be great? I have my doubts. Does she have Maria Sharapova's grit? Justine Henin's steely mentality? Serena's power? Barty's athleticism? Osaka's tennis brain? To me the answers are no. She barely held serve in the final. The top 20 ladies will punish any weaknesses. My guess is a one hit wonder. I hope I'm wrong. Time will tell.

[@mosesserukwaya816]

Probably it is a bit harsh to speculate about the durability of Emma at this moment, but again perhaps it is never that easy to be a Serena Williams or Steffi Graf nowadays

[@daveoliver5838]

Yep, this is my feeling too. She’d better sign up those multi-million dollar deals soon before she meets one of those big hitters and hits the hurdle.

[@guyrestivo]

do u mean the top 20 where 50 percent lose by the 2 round and 70 percent lose by the 4th round--that top 20....the shocking thing was that the rated players did extremely well in this us open...that was a rarity

[@chriscollinson725]

WTA tennis is probably the most unpredictable sport in the world to pick a winner from atm. Take at look at these recent major champions and aside from Osaka and Barty there simply isn't any consistency at the top. Emma Raducanu, Ashleigh Barty, Barbora Krejcikova, Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andreescu, Simona Halep, Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka. Oh and chuck in Ostapenko's unseeded French Open win. The polar opposite to the mens game. Not sure if this is a blessing or a curse tbh but I love the drama of the WTA.

[@terryandrews49]

We can only wait and see But to do so well in your first two majors is stunning.

[@daviddonnan4041]

I don't know honestly I hope Emma works out to be more consistent I would love an English several time champion fingers crossed