Former player Flavia Pennetta says Emma Raducanu’s US Open win proves “something is wrong” with women’s tennis. The Italian claimed the major title in New York six years before the Brit made history, defeating compatriot Roberta Vinci in the final for her only Grand Slam.
There is a balance and unpredictability on the women’s tour, with four different women winning each of the slams for the last five years.
Penetta, who played during the dominant years of serial grand slam winners such as Serena and Venus Williams, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, is not a fan of the current landscape.
The former world number six, 39, told Corriere della Sera: “I don’t like it. What is happening, this very strong discontinuity, in my opinion, is not good for tennis.
“In my time it could never have happened that a young girl played from qualifying, like Emma Raducanu in New York, to win a Grand Slam.
“Top athletes made too much difference, there is something wrong.
JUST IN: London council rejects calls for special Emma Raducanu honour
“Charisma is missing, so women’s tennis is more difficult to sell.”
Like Raducanu, Penetta’s US Open triumph also came as a surprise, as she was seeded 26th and had not progressed further than the quarter-finals before joining tennis’ elite.
The former player, who captured the 2011 Australian Open doubles title, has just been nominated to be inducted in this year’s International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Pennetta won 10 other WTA singles titles, including the 2014 Indian Wells Open, where she defeated the top two seeds at the time.
DON’T MISS
Earlier, it was reported that a London council rejected a proposal to honour Raducanu.
She hails from Bromley in the south eastern section of the capital, and there was a possibility she would be given freedom of the borough following her success in New York.
This is the highest civic award a local authority is able to give and it is no surprise Raducanu had been considered for it after her incredible achievement.
But after a special meeting, it was concluded they decided against bestowing the honor on the teen, claiming they do not want to “embarrass her.”
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
