'I don't feel like I really am playing for money' - Emma Raducanu on refusing to take a stand for equal pay for women in tennis

British tennis star Emma Raducanu may have found herself in hot water, after recent comments surfaced where the former US Open champion stated she would rather not get involved in the fight for equal pay for women in the world of tennis.

The former World No.10 burst into the spotlight after winning her maiden Grand Slam title as a qualifier at the 2021 US Open. Subsequently, Raducanu has flirted with the top 10, before suffering a significant drop in rankings due to inconsistent play and several injury setbacks.

Money is not her motivation, claims Raducanu

In a recent interview, Raducanu was asked why she had never spoken out on the matter of WTA stars receiving less pay than their male counterparts. The British No.1 responded by stating she would never take a stand on either side, and did not believe money was the driving force behind her decision to compete on the WTA tour.

"I just prefer to kind of not get and involved and just whatever," said Raducanu. "Whatever the situation is, I'll kind of roll with it. But I'm never really going to take a stand either way.
"I don't really get involved or stay in the loop with all the boards and all the decisions and stuff. I kind of just get on with it and I don't feel like I really am playing for money."

Nonetheless, Raducanu kicked off her grass court campaign with a quarterfinal showing at the Queen's Club Championships. The former US Open champion withdrew from the ongoing Berlin Ladies Open due to injury, and has only a few days to prepare for Wimbledon in front of her home crowd.