Emma Raducanu ‘more effective’ figurehead than ‘interesting’ Nick Kyrgios, former WTA star claims
Anke Huber is unsure whether “interesting” players like Nick Kyrgios would benefit the WTA Tour and feels Emma Raducanu is “more effective” at promoting women’s tennis.
Throughout his career, Australian icon Nick Kyrgios has been widely referred to as ‘box office’ after causing numerous controversies. Kyrgios’ most recent outbursts came at the ‘Sunshine Double’ of the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open.
In his Indian Wells quarter-final loss to Grand Slam legend Rafael Nadal, Kyrgios threw his racket to the ground and an unfortunate bounce sent the stray racket flying in the direction of a ball boy’s head. As a result, he was fined a total of $25,000 (£19,000) for the incident.
Then in his Miami Open fourth round loss to Jannik Sinner, Kyrgios’ temper boiled over once again. He launched multiple tirades against chair umpire Carlos Bernardes and then struck his racket bag multiple times in rage.
After the match, Kyrgios was then fined $35,000 (£25,000) for four separate offences; one for an audible obscenity, two for unsportsmanlike conduct and another for verbal abuse.
Although, he recently came to the defence of 19-year-old US Open champion Emma Raducanu after former World number five Daniela Hantuchova claimed Raducanu was “losing the respect” of her peers.
In an interview with Eurosport Germany, when asked about whether a controversial player like Nick Kyrgios would prove beneficial to the women’s circuit, former World number four Anke Huber said “Kyrgios pulls off this show – like [John] McEnroe before – often on purpose.
“It’s his ploy to keep the conversation going. 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.”
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