Caroline Wozniacki defended Emma Raducanu’s remarkable US Open victory against John Isner’s comments, suggesting another recent tennis upset was more impressive. Raducanu made history in 2021 by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The 23-year-old teenager won the championship by triumphing in 10 consecutive matches without dropping a set, culminating in a thrilling final against Leylah Fernandez. Another surprising result occurred in tennis last month when Valentin Vacherot, the lowest-ranked player ever, claimed a Masters title in Shanghai.
Defeating notable players like Novak Djokovic, Vacherot secured the trophy by outplaying his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final. While Isner argued that Vacherot’s achievement overshadowed Raducanu’s success, Wozniacki disagreed, emphasizing that winning a Grand Slam title surpasses all other accomplishments.
The retired American player made controversial remarks on the Nothing Major Show, stating that Vacherot’s victory was more improbable given his limited prior success. Wozniacki, a former Australian Open champion, asserted that winning the US Open holds greater significance than other achievements in tennis.
Wozniacki, who briefly retired in 2022 but returned in 2023, participated in prestigious tournaments like the US Open, Indian Wells Open, and the Paris Olympics. Raducanu, on the other hand, has faced challenges in replicating her US Open triumph, acknowledging the pressure of living up to past success.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Raducanu opened up about the lasting impact of her US Open win, admitting that comparisons still linger in her mind. Despite trying therapy briefly, she decided to rely on her own strength and experience to navigate the challenges unique to her remarkable journey.