{"id":2093070,"date":"2026-08-14T11:04:32","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2093070"},"modified":"2026-08-14T11:04:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:04:32","slug":"emma-raducanu-rival-and-wimbledon-star-steps-away-from-tennis-over-relentless-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2093070","title":{"rendered":"Emma Raducanu rival and Wimbledon star &#8216;steps away&#8217; from tennis over &#8216;relentless&#8217; schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Emma Raducanu rival and Wimbledon star \u2018steps away\u2019 from tennis over \u2018relentless\u2019 schedule<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Richie Mills                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"14 Aug 2026 12:04 PM\" data-ps-date=\"14 Aug 2026 12:04 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1786705472\"><br \/>\n                            14 Aug 2026 12:04 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on 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href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Femma-raducanu-rival-and-wimbledon-star-steps-away-from-tennis-over-relentless-schedule\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" 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!my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Sun-Raducanu-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Lulu Sun shakes hands with Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Lulu Sun is stepping away from tennis                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun has announced she is \u201cstepping away\u201d from tennis as the physical and mental demands of the sport are taking their toll.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/lulu-sun\">Sun<\/a> made headlines in 2024 when she made the last eight of that year\u2019s Wimbledon Championships, where she beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/emma-raducanu\">Emma Raducanu<\/a> and former Australian Open finalist Zheng Qinwen along the way.<\/p>\n<p>She reached a career high of 39 later that year but since then, the 25-year-old has dropped down the rankings, with the New Zealander currently 119th.<\/p>\n<p>Now,\u00a0Sun, who has also competed for Croatia and Switzerland in her youth due to her Croatian father and having been raised in Geneva, has admitted that the demands of being a tennis pro are \u201crelentless\u201d and that she needs a break from the sport.<\/p>\n<p>She wrote on Instagram on Friday, \u201cHi guys, I wanted to take a bit of your time to share something personal with you\u2026 In professional tennis, as in life, there is constant pressure to perfect oneself. The physical and mental demands of a competition schedule are relentless and can impact your life in more ways than one.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More WTA Tour News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/iga-swiatek-ranking-points-prize-money-after-toronto-final-elena-rybakina\">Iga Swiatek gets a big rankings boost and a prize money windfall after win in Toronto<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/legendary-coach-almost-impossible-alex-eala-roger-federer-comparison-dismissed\">Alex Eala warned by legendary coach over \u2018almost impossible\u2019 immediate fix as Roger Federer comparison dismissed<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith that in mind, I have decided to take some time away from competition to give myself a little space for my wellbeing and to enjoy life beyond the tennis court. It will give me the opportunity to step away from the demands of competition, reset and prepare for what\u2019s ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sun also took a moment to thank her nearest and dearest for supporting her. Now it remains to see what comes next.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI find it hard to express how deeply appreciative I am to all my team members, friends, family and fans for their continuous belief in me. Your support and kindness means everything,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am also truly grateful to my sponsors who I\u2019d like to thank for their continued trust and patronage, and for being an important part of my journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcApWPQlBmz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px\">\n<p><a style=\"background: #FFFFFF;line-height: 0;padding: 0 0;text-align: center;text-decoration: none;width: 100%\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcApWPQlBmz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex;flex-direction: row;align-items: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex;flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block;height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex;flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex;flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center;white-space: nowrap\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcApWPQlBmz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Lulu Sun \u5b59\u7490\u7490 (@lululsun)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since her breakout <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wimbledon\">Wimbledon<\/a> run, Sun has only won one match at a Grand Slam in six attempts, with the left-hander making it to round two of the 2025 US Open.<\/p>\n<p>Sun has twice been a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/wta-tour\">WTA Tour<\/a> finalist, losing in the Monterrey Open final to Linda Noskova in August 2024 and in Guangzhou to Ann Li last October. Incidentally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/alex-eala\">Alex Eala<\/a> was one of the prominent names to like the post on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHAT NEXT? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/wta-rankings-iga-swiatek-victoria-mboko-elena-rybakina-no-1-ranking-canadian-open\">WTA Rankings: Rybakina overtakes Sabalenka in Race, Swiatek soars, Mboko nosedives<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Emma Raducanu rival and Wimbledon star \u2018steps away\u2019 from tennis over \u2018relentless\u2019 schedule Richie Mills 14 Aug 2026 12:04 PM Lulu Sun is stepping away from tennis Former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun has announced she is \u201cstepping away\u201d from tennis as the physical and mental demands of the sport are taking their toll. Sun made [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2093070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2093070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093070\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2093070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2093070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2093070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}