Emma Raducanu’s opponent Sloane Stephens blasts Brit for loud "scream"
Emma Raducanu's Australian Open first round opponent Sloane Stephens has blasted the British teenager for her loud "scream" during her three-set victory.
The reigning US Open champion made her debut at the Australian Open on Tuesday, defeating Stephens 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 in Melbourne.
As a result, Raducanu will now take on Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in the second round on Thursday as the 17th seed looks to build on her impressive win over Stephens.
However, the American had some harsh words for Raducanu following their match, offering a word of advice to the 19-year-old after taking exception to her on-court behaviour.
Speaking to the media following the match, Stephens said: “Everyone saw after the first point she gave like a massive scream.
“She played me, someone she's ranking-wise supposed to beat. And, I mean, yeah, she won.
“Because she is so young it's definitely a long road, so there's going to be a lot of ups and downs. I think she, yeah, has just a lot to learn.
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“I was talking to someone in the locker room and I'm like, 'We'll be here when she comes down'.
“Not Emma but just in general. It all is like a cycle, and I think learning how to deal with it early on is the best way to handle it. Just because there's always a lot of ups and downs in tennis.”
28-year-old Stephens won the US Open herself back in 2017 and is currently ranked number 65 in the world, having once been as high as number three.
She is married to former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore, tying the knot with the former USA international at a ceremony on New Years' Day.
Raducanu is appearing at just her third Grand Slam tournament, having reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year before winning the US Open two months later.
Her victory in New York in September made her the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam as well as the first female British Grand Slam winner since Virginia Wade in 1977.
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