‘Enjoy every single moment’ urges Maria Sharapova in advice to Emma Raducanu
Maria Sharapova knows a thing or two about shooting to tennis super-stardom as a teen and offered her words to Emma Raducanu on the subject.
Since her astounding US Open triumph, some have warned Raducanu against off-court distractions that come as a result of her meteoric rise.
But five-time Slam champion and former world number one Sharapova disagrees and can sympathise with Raducanu’s situation.
“You learn through it,” Sharapova told The Telegraph on mixing on and off-court experiences.
“When [you’re young] and you succeed and become a champion, there are certainly going to be opportunities off court that come your way.
“Emma [Raducanu] is an incredible athlete, what she has achieved at such a young age is very rare in the sports world and she has to enjoy every single moment of it.”
Since her US Open title, Raducanu has appeared on fashion magazine covers such as Vogue and has signed lucrative deals with brands like Dior and Tiffany & Co.
Like Raducanu, Sharapova shot to the top of the sport as a teenager when she won Wimbledon 2004 as a 17-year-old.
She too was thrust into the spotlight of fashion and lifestyle media. Now, her manager at talent company IMG, Max Eisenbud, represents Raducanu.
“From my own experience at a young age, winning Wimbledon came so unexpectedly I never thought that I was physically ready to win seven matches in a 14-day period,” Sharapova continued.
“When that happens, it’s incredibly overwhelming, you still can’t quite believe it.
“Emma and her family will cherish that beautiful feeling forever, because it is all so exciting. You’re thinking, did that really just happen?”
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