‘People Are So Twisted About Emma Raducanu’ – Fans Slam Former Pro Over Controversial Claim
Former American tennis star John Isner has come under fire after suggesting that Valentin Vacherot’s Shanghai Masters triumph was more remarkable than Emma Raducanu’s major 2021 US Open triumph.
His commentary has sparked a fierce debate online, with suckers rushing to defend the British teenager’s achievement.
Raducanu’s rise stunned the tennis world in 2021. At just 18, she became the first qualifier, joker, or womanish to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Remarkably, she did so without dropping a single set throughout the event, defying prospects at every turn.
Vacherot, in discrepancy, sculpted his own story at the Shanghai Masters. The Monégasque entered the event as a late qualifier and crushed several advanced-ranked opponents, including Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic, before defeating his kinsman Arthur Rinderknech in the final to claim the title.
John Isner claims Valentin Vacherot’s story is more impressive than Emma Raducanu winning the US Open
“I think it is more impressive, yes. [For Raducanu] it’s a bigger story because it’s the US Open, but I think this is more improbable than what she did.
“I am giving it to… pic.twitter.com/tBG4tsI7Ab
— Tennishead (@tennishead) October 15, 2025
Despite the emotional nature of both feats, Isner decided to place Vacherot’s accomplishment above Raducanu’s during a recent episode of the Nothing Major Podcast.
“I think it is more impressive, yes. [For Raducanu] it’s a bigger story because it’s the US Open, but I think this is more improbable than what she did. I am giving it to Vacherot there. It’s just unheard of,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, the remarks triggered an online backlash. Fans quickly expressed their frustration with the comparison.
“People are so twisted when it comes to Raducanu. She won a slam. Her win as a qualifier >>>” one fan wrote.
“This recency bias is ridiculous lol. Emma won the US Open as a QUALIFIER without dropping a single set. yes vacherot‘s run was impressive too, but it’s nowhere near Emma‘s achievement. Thank you,” added another.
Supporters argued that Raducanu’s triumph, achieved without a full-time coach or professional tour experience, remained unparalleled.
“Lol, stop the cap. While Vacherot’s run was an incredible one, it’s nowhere close to Emma’s. Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open run will forever be wild. An 18-year-old qualifier who went through 10 matches without dropping a single set. No full-time coach. No tour-level experience,” one fan wrote.
“Just a ridiculous, biased statement lol. Tell me you underestimate women and think men’s tennis is superior without telling me,” another chimed in.
Some questioned the need to compare the two entirely different milestones.
“I mean, first of all, obviously not. But why is someone asking him this obvious ‘set up to fail’ question? Why does there need to be a comparison?” one fan noted.
Meanwhile, Raducanu’s current form has raised eyebrows. The Brit plodded in China, battling heat, moisture, and physical affections. She exited the Korea Open in the alternate round and the China Open in the third.
In Wuhan, she retired mid-match after a medical check, and in Ningbo, she needed treatment for her lower back, eventually falling to Zhu Lin despite taking the opening set.
While Vacherot’s triumph marked a career highlight, Raducanu has faced a challenging season herself, with her ranking slipping amid tough results this season. Fans remain steadfast, however, insisting that her 2021 US Open victory will forever be a defining moment in British tennis history.
