Emma Raducanu just had one of her most valuable possessions recalled by a sponsor.
The tennis star rose to prominence in the sport when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the 2021 US Open.
Raducanu was only 18 years old at the time and pocketed £1.8 million in prize money for bringing the title back to London.
Following her triumph, she caught the attention of some of the world’s biggest brands and signed fruitful sponsorship deals with the likes of Dior, Evian and Vodafone.
Raducanu was also appointed as a global brand ambassador for Porsche, who she fell in love with as a child due to one of her early tennis coaches owning one of its cars.
As part of the deal she was gifted a 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet worth £125,000.
But, according to the Daily Mail, Raducanu is ‘no longer’ in possession of the prized possession.
“They took it back. It used to have pride of place at her home,” an associate of Raducanu confirmed.
Meanwhile, a Porsche spokesman told the newspaper Raducanu no longer has the car and said: “While we do on occasion loan Emma a car, this is very much an ad hoc basis.”
The 21-year-old struggled to replicate her 2021 success in this year’s US Open at the end of August, exiting in the first round.
She improved at the Korea Open but was forced to retire from her quarter-final match against Daria Kasatkina after spraining ligaments in her foot up during the last 16.
Raducanu has since withdrawn from the China Open in Beijing too.
She is currently placed No.54 in the world rankings, having previously dropped outside of the top 300. Her career high was No.10 in July 2022.
Raducanu was criticised in July for withdrawing from her Wimbledon mixed-doubles match with Andy Murray.
She was knocked out in the fourth round of the singles tournament to qualifier Lulu Sun over three sets, before she pulled out, citing a stiff wrist and wanting to focus on her singles game.
“There have not been any changes within our successful partnership since it started in 2022,” the Porsche spokesman confirmed.
He also added that Raducanu’s role hasn’t changed within the organisation and that Porsche are very happy with their continued partnership.
The hope will be that Raducanu can get back to her best on the court in order to fulfill her undoubted potential in the women’s game.
