Nick Kyrgios ‘show’ wouldn’t work in women’s game as Emma Raducanu approach more ‘effective’ – ex-player

WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu in action

Nick Kyrgios “keeps the conversation going” with his on-court and off-court antics, but that approach would not work in women’s tennis with former Australian Open runner-up Anke Huber feeling the way Emma Raducanu conducts herself is “more effective”.

Australian Kyrgios has once again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks as he copped fines at the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open for unsportsmanlike conduct.

In Miami he lashed out at the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes after he was handed a game penalty and doubled down on his criticism during his post-match press conference while he also vented on social media.

Nick Kyrgios doubles down on criticism of chair umpire: ‘He made it about himself’

Raducanu, meanwhile, doesn’t get involved in any drama on court and, even though some have raised questions about her off-court celebrity status, she doesn’t engage.

Former world No 4 Huber, who has admitted that tennis needs characters like Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev, says Raducanu’s approach is better for women’s sport.

“Kyrgios pulls off this show – like John McEnroe before – often on purpose. It’s his ploy to keep the conversation going,” she told Eurosport Germany.

“But I don’t know if you should want that for women’s tennis. Granted, it makes things more interesting. But I think an Emma Raducanu is more effective in women’s tennis.”

The German also feels Raducanu, who won the US Open at the first time of asking last year, has what it takes to become a top-five player, but says the tennis community needs to be patience with the 19-year-old.

Criticism of Emma Raducanu is misplaced as tennis needs the Brit to shine

“Raducanu is someone who can play at the top in the future,” she said.

“She has everything to become a top-5 player and maybe even make it to number one. Emma needs another year or two to become consistent and really demonstrate what she is capable of.”

Emma Raducanu Nick Kyrgios

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