Fans have rushed to the defence of Emma Raducanu after ‘nasty’ comments from England head coach Eddie Jones.
The Aussie said he is determined to help Marcus Smith avoid the same traps that have derailed tennis players momentum since the teenager won the US Open in sensational fashion.
“The big thing for good young players is distractions,” Jones said.
“The distractions could be the exposure they get in the media, the praise they get, the criticism they get. There can be groups of agents who see this guy as the next big thing.
“There’s a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn’t done so well afterwards. What have you seen her on – the front page of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar or whatever, wearing Christian Dior clothes. All that is a distraction around her”
“What a ridiculous comment,’ one fan wrote about Jones comments.
Another weighed in: ‘What a cheap shot, from a cheap coach. He should be ashamed, but he won’t be.’
‘Emma Raducanu, a school girl goes from 343 in world rankings to 21, reached the quarter-finals of her last competition whilst only playing a few tournaments on tour. She even won her first GS (Grand Slam) before even winning on the WTA circuit. Nasty comments about a successful teenager,’ another furious fan said.
SOCIAL REACTION:
EDITORS PICKS:
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- “Sexton one of the best” – Jonny Wilkinson ranks his top five fly-halves
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- ‘Get the f— down!’ – Three brilliant stories from James Haskell’s new book
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- “Quicker than me” – Jason Robinson reveals England’s fastest ever player
England will play Australia on Saturday 13 November (5.30pm KO) in the second of their Autumn Nations Series matches at Twickenham Stadium. Their final fixture is against world champions South Africa on Saturday 20 November (3.15pm KO).
Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:
Prime members can watch the Autumn Nations Series live from 30th October with the Prime Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online.
For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.
Monday’s Transfer Round-Up
RUMOUR: Exeter Chiefs second-row Sam Skinner has been put top of the shopping list of a pair of Premiership clubs according to the latest reports. FULL STORY
AVAILABLE: Montpellier boss Philippe Saint-André has responded to reports that England and Leicester Tigers fly-half George Ford could join Montpellier next summer. FULL STORY
RUMOUR: Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam is interested in bringing Mako Vunipola to Ashton Gate, according to The Rugby Paper. FULL STORY
