Emma Raducanu now has a target on her back, just like Kournikova and Bouchard

Defeat at Flushing Meadows showed a new side of the 2021 US Open winner that we haven't witnessed before.

Emma Raducanu is still trying to find her footing as she works towards moving up in the tennis rankings. However, her lack of respect for traditional tennis customs is starting to hold her back.

We are not just discussing the lack of playing experience which caused Raducanu to struggle in her match against Sofia Kenin on Tuesday night. It also impacts how her opponents view her.

They observe a celebrated player with a large following on social media and numerous lucrative sponsorship deals, who appears to view herself as superior to the typical tour events in cities like Toronto and Cincinnati.

The attention on her is increasing now that she has won the 2021 US Open.

"I have observed this situation in the past with both Anna Kournikova and Eugenie Bouchard," stated an insider familiar with the WTA. Anna believed that her fellow players upped their game in an attempt to defeat her, driven by envy towards her fame and wealth.

"Don't overlook the power of jealousy in pushing someone to outperform their competitor. Though Kenin hasn't been performing exceptionally well on the tour lately, she seized the chance to shine on Tuesday."

Raducanu has dedicated the past year to making adjustments to her technique with her coach, Nick Cavaday, who she has complete faith in. It is understood that she was eager to work with him again, as the agreement was made well in advance of her recovery from double-wrist surgery last year.

However, many people have been shocked by her dedication to practicing on the training court instead of focusing on actual matches. It appears that she has not been participating in practice matches very often.

If she chose not to participate in the qualifying matches in Toronto and Cincinnati, a choice that seems to have been influenced by appearances, why not head over to Bradenton in Florida instead? There, her management agency IMG operates a large tennis facility. She could have played some informal matches with academy players or even junior boys, improving her skills through practice.

Raducanu seemed unprepared in her 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 loss. After the match, she showed a different side of her personality that we hadn't seen before when speaking to reporters.

She is a very smart woman who always participates in discussions and gives answers that make you think, even if she is feeling upset. Usually, she looks at the bigger picture and doesn't focus too much on any one result. However, this time, she seemed more vulnerable than usual. Raducanu admitted, tears in her eyes, "I feel low, I feel sad. This is a tournament that I really hope to succeed in."

The shift in attitude raised questions about whether Raducanu has finally come to recognize the magnitude of the challenge she is facing. Has she finally realized what she needs to do to succeed?

Similar to other emerging young champions (such as Kenin, Andreescu, and Stephens), Raducanu has taken an unconventional path to success, gaining fame before fully understanding the ins and outs of the tour.

The challenge of facing opponents with a specific goal in mind is even more difficult when you are still inexperienced yourself. While players were motivated to compete against Serena Williams, she was a unique talent with unwavering confidence that made her enjoy the competition. Williams also had a strong presence in the locker room, thanks to her impressive track record, which sometimes caused her opponents to push themselves too hard.

People are eager to partner with Raducanu right now. She has a smooth way of playing and her initial serve, which reached an average of 97 mph in the match against Kenin, lacks the power to intimidate. She has the potential to be a top-20 player, but she needs to enhance her physical strength, ability to bounce back from setbacks, and mental toughness in high-pressure situations.

"I suppose I should see it as a form of flattery," responded Raducanu when questioned on Tuesday evening about how she appears to motivate her competitors. "I've noticed a few occasions where my opponents have performed exceptionally well against me. So, there must be a reason for it."

One of the reasons for this is her continuous determination to stand out from other players. When you are willing to go against traditional ways for such a long time - such as competing in Wimbledon without a regular coach like she did in 2022, or acting as though qualifying events are not important – you need to succeed. Otherwise, you will appear foolish and risk losing respect from your fellow players.

In recent weeks, we have been reminded of the critical remarks made by Sloane Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017. She made these comments shortly after Emma Raducanu's impressive performance at the same event four years later.

"Since she is very young, the journey ahead will be quite challenging. There will be many highs and lows," Stephens commented, following her defeat to Raducanu in the opening round of the 2022 Australian Open. "I believe she still has much to discover and improve upon."

Stephens explained that she was having a conversation with someone in the locker room, and mentioned that they would still be there when the other person came down.