Emma Raducanu has made US Open history after booking herself a place in the semi-final. So, of course, Piers Morgan used it as an opportunity for some serious Twitter ranting.
The 18-year-old is the first British woman to reach a US Open semi-final since 1983 after her quarter-final win against Olympic gold medallist and Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic.
In reaction to the news, the TV personality and broadcaster hit out at “wokies” for “going crazy” because the tennis star was “now winning not quitting.” His tweet was presumably referencing those who had supported, rather than berated, the tennis star when she withdrew from Wimbledon with breathing difficulties.
Very disappointing to see wokies going crazy because @EmmaRaducanu is now winning not quitting.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 8, 2021
This must be so triggering to losers who are used to you celebrating their failures. Please stop.
As night follows day, one person replied with the infamous clip of Morgan storming off the GMB studio set after co-star Alex Beresford challenged his comments on Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and wrote: “Speaking of quitters...”
Although Morgan returned back to the set, he eventually quit the show.
Incredibly, Morgan responded to the tweet by comparing himself to the semi-finalist. “Like Emma, I went back into battle - and won,” he wrote.
Like Emma, I went back into battle - and won. https://t.co/9Q11Oxv0TG
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 8, 2021
Unsurprisingly, his response left people baffled:
Mr Morgan, please, stop. It started as support for a fantastic young tennis player. You've now, as usual, just made it all about you. Stop using her success to bloviate about your own vacuous career.
— Pastor_of_Muppets (@rustin_peace) September 8, 2021
It’s cute that you think sitting on your arse for months ‘Tweeting’ is comparable to a Tennis Grand Slam semi final.
— MisterDaz (@MisterDaz) September 8, 2021
Unlike Emma, the nation isn't cheering you on, @piersmorgan. https://t.co/GCF6xZDEuy
— Stefan Meyer (@StefanMeyer71) September 8, 2021
Like Emma, in your dreams Morgan!
— GMan (@keepingHealthy7) September 8, 2021
Not like Emma at all.
— Megsanne (@megsanne88) September 8, 2021
This man is now officially delusional. Help urgently required.
— Ray Smith (@RaySmit09853147) September 8, 2021
During her game, Morgan had hailed Raducanu as a “tennis superstar” and praised her performance, saying she was “on fire”. But, as some pointed out, back in July, he had been a bit less supportive as he backed former tennis player John McEnroe for saying that Raducanu withdrew from Wimbledon because she couldn’t handle the pressure. Morgan also tweeted at the time: “Ms Raducanu’s a talented player but couldn’t handle the pressure and quit when she was losing badly. Not ‘brave’, just a shame.”
It led tennis player Andy Murray to defend the young star and describe Morgan’s opinion as “a very harsh take on the situation.” Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker also defended Raducanu and roasted Morgan at the same time by tweeting of - you guessed it - a photo of his studio walk-out.
Of course, Twitter has a good memory and decided to point out Morgan’s comments, with some mocking him for the change of heart.
Piers Morgan watching Emma Raducanu get to the semi-finals of the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/HTJtUPVpoP
— Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK) September 8, 2021
Piers Morgan watching Emma Raducanu thrash the woman who beat the #1 seed just 2 days ago to make it into the QF’s in her first US Open after saying she didn’t have a champions mentality: pic.twitter.com/D3zQf20U27
— WG (@cosmicray_) September 6, 2021
18 year old Emma Raducanu beating an Olympic gold medalist 6-3, 6-4 to reach the US Open semi final? Not bad for someone Piers Morgan described as weak and feeble… pic.twitter.com/UhsjkmGRvG
— AFCMist (@AFCMist) September 8, 2021
Piers Morgan's criticism of Emma Raducanu in the summer looks more and more foolish (as it seemed at the time).
— Ash Martin Wills (@AshleyWills) September 8, 2021
She is a clear champion in the making.@piersmorgan
Remember that time Piers Morgan said Emma Raducanu couldn't handle the pressure? lol
— Pete Borkowski (@PeteB_93) September 8, 2021
Emma Raducanu, two months after breakthrough at Wimbledon, is now into the semifinals of #USOpen. 🔥
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 8, 2021
If I didn't have a strict personal policy against it, would quote tweet Piers Morgan's stupid take from July now.
Though he also claimed that Raducanu “totally agreed” with his and McEnroe’s assessment of why she pulled out of Wimbledon, adding: “Brilliant to see her storm back better & mentally stronger - that’s what champions do.”
Yes, absolutely. To be fair to @EmmaRaducanu she totally agreed with me & McEnroe that she didn't handle the pressure at Wimbledon.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 8, 2021
No whining, no excuses.
Brilliant to see her storm back better & mentally stronger - that's what champions do. https://t.co/qDslSmYoQS
Raducanu will now play 17th seed Maria Sakkari for a place in the final. Her winning streak seems to even have surprised the teen herself after she admitted she had booked her flight back home before the US Open properly even begun.
“I didn’t expect to be here at all. I think my flights were booked at the end of qualifying, so it’s a nice problem to have,” she said.
We’ll be watching with baited breath. And we’re sure a certain Piers Morgan will be too...
