'Harsh comments' - Emma Raducanu 'knows what she's doing' says Barbara Schett after Eddie Jones views

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 11/11/2021 at 13:42 GMT

"It's always easy for people to make comments about somebody's life, and the England rugby coach probably doesn't know tennis very well," Schett told Eurosport. "As a rugby coach, you probably can't necessarily comment on that. It's a team sport, and unless you have been in tennis, you should not make harsh comments like that. I think she knows exactly what she is doing."

Barbara Schett has come to the defence of Britain's Emma Raducanu after England rugby coach Eddie Jones said "there's a reason" she had struggled since winning the US Open, citing off-court distractions.

Jones claimed that "the front page of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar... wearing Christian Dior clothes" had seen Raducanu become distracted, and his comments prompted outrage given the incredible triumph from the 18-year-old after arriving at Flushing Meadows as a qualifier. He has since responded to the controversy by insisting that his statements "were taken out of context".

Eurosport expert Schett, who is a tournament ambassador at WTA Linz where Raducanu was playing, has defended the rising star and urged people to give her time and "not make harsh comments like that".

WTA Stuttgart

Raducanu set for first-round clash with Kerber in Stuttgart after BJK Cup heroics

Yesterday at 09:41

"It's always easy for people to make comments about somebody's life, and the England rugby coach probably doesn't know tennis very well," Schett told Eurosport.

"Yes, she hasn't won a lot of matches after winning the US Open, but I don't necessarily think it is because she is wearing Dior dresses, having a photoshoot or going to the James Bond premiere.

"She is trying to stay in the moment, and I think her main goal is to be a tennis player. But you just have to give her a bit of time. As every Grand Slam winner says, the first Grand Slam changes your life.

As a rugby coach, you probably can't necessarily comment on that. It's a team sport, and unless you have been in tennis, you should not make harsh comments like that.

"I think she knows exactly what she is doing. It is very tricky, we all know that, but I'm sure she has a good team around her now, with the agent and the parents, so she is not getting too carried away.

"But the hardest part is knowing how to deal with the expectations and with the pressure."

Raducanu hits red carpet with Hollywood stars for James Bond premiere

Aside from appearing at WTA Linz, where she lost out to Xinyu Wang, 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5, Raducanu has also confirmed the appointment of Torben Beltz as her new coach on tour after he parted ways with Angelique Kerber following significant success as a partnership. Schett the move was "really important" and noted that he is a positive person to work with.

"I think it is really important that she has appointed a coach," Schett said.

"Torben Beltz certainly has a fair bit of experience, especially with Angelique Kerber. They had so much success together, and we will see how it goes with Emma.

Angelique Kerber of Germany talks to her coach Torben Beltz in her round two match against Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan during day three of Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre

Image credit: Getty Images

"I don't think they had a trial period, so it is going to be interesting to see, but she certainly needed someone who has a lot of experience with top players.

"He is also a very positive guy and you only find out once you work with somebody, so we will see how it goes."

Looking ahead to the Australian Open at the start of 2022, Schett believes it is going to be "very, very tricky for her" to succeed in Melbourne the way she did in such improbable fashion in New York.

"It's not going to be easy for her," she said. "First of all, she has never played at the Australian Open, and secondly, it is the first Grand Slam after winning the US Open.

"So there will be a lot of attention, there will be a lot of eyes on her, and a lot of pressure, I'm sure. The next thing to see with Emma is how she is going to deal with all that attention and expectation.

"I don't think she is going to win the Australian Open, I think it will be tricky for her.

"Also, a lot of other top players are going to be back there again competing and they have no pressure, she is the one who has to basically deliver because of those expectations.

"So I hope that she is going to do okay, but I think it is going to be tricky. It's going to be very, very tricky for her."

'She looked so comfortable in the biggest moments' - Wilander in awe of Raducanu

- - -

Stream the 2022 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+

Billie Jean King Cup

Raducanu overcomes 'embarrassing' score error to beat Garcia and level up BJK tie

12/04/2024 at 19:23

Billie Jean King Cup

Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: Which top stars are playing?

11/04/2024 at 11:13

Billie Jean King Cup

'We’ve missed her' - Raducanu welcomed back to GB team with 'open arms' says Boulter

10/04/2024 at 10:34