“SHE’S NOT BRITISH, SHE’S A DISGRACE”: Julia Riera’s Racist Rant Against Emma Raducanu Explodes Into the Biggest Scandal in WTA History
In a press conference that will be remembered as the darkest moment in modern women’s tennis, world No.
87 Julia Riera launched an extraordinary, racist, and deeply personal attack on Emma Raducanu just minutes after losing to the British star 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Buenos Aires WTA 250.
The Argentine, visibly shaking with rage, refused to shake hands at the net and marched straight to the media room where she detonated what many are already calling “the most disgusting press conference in WTA history.”
The Exact Words That Shocked the World
“I’m going to say what everyone is thinking but is too afraid to say,” Riera began, staring directly into the cameras.
“Emma Raducanu is not British. She is a disgrace to Great Britain. She is just a mixed-race girl who does not belong here.
I have officially submitted a request to the WTA asking for her to be banned from all tournaments in 2026 for continual disrespectful behaviour toward opponents and for what I believe is the use of banned technology. I saw vibrations on her wristband. I heard signals from the player box.
This is cheating.”
She continued, voice rising:
“I’m sick of these players coming from nowhere, with their fancy sponsors and their fake smiles, taking spots that belong to real Latin American or European girls. She doesn’t represent British values. She represents nothing.”
The room fell into stunned silence. Journalists from BBC, Sky Sports, ESPN, and Tennis Channel sat frozen. One Argentine reporter was visibly crying.
Emma Raducanu’s Ice-Cold 11-Word Response That Broke the Internet
When Raducanu entered the press room five minutes later — still wearing sunglasses indoors — the tension was palpable.
A journalist asked for her reaction to Riera’s comments.
Emma removed her sunglasses, looked straight down the barrel of the nearest camera, and delivered an 11-word response that instantly went viral:
“Thank you for reminding me I don’t belong. Watch Melbourne.”
She paused, smiled thinly, and added:
“And Julia… next time you want to talk about my skin colour, look in the mirror first.”
Then she stood up and walked out.
The clip has already been viewed more than 42 million times in under 30 minutes.
Instant Global Fallout – Unlike Anything Tennis Has Ever Seen British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tweeted within 12 minutes: “Emma Raducanu is British. Full stop. Proud of you, Emma. The whole country stands with you.”
→ 2.8 million likes and counting. Lexus, Raducanu’s largest personal sponsor, announced it is terminating all partnerships with the Buenos Aires tournament with immediate effect and pulling funding from every WTA event held in Argentina in 2026.
Nike, Dior, Porsche, Evian, HSBC, and British Airways — all Raducanu partners — released identical statements: “Racism has no place in sport or society.
We stand with Emma.” WTA CEO Steve Simon issued an emergency statement: “The comments made today are unacceptable and constitute a major offence under the WTA Code of Conduct. An investigation has been opened, and Ms Riera has been provisionally suspended pending hearing.”
Instagram: Julia Riera lost 1.47 million followers in 27 minutes — the fastest mass unfollow in sporting history. TikTok: #WeAreWithEmma is the No. 1 global trend with over 180 million views in half an hour.
Inside the Locker Room – Players React in Real Time Iga Świątek (on court, mid-match interview): “I’m ashamed this happened in our sport. Emma, we love you.”
Coco Gauff: “Calling a woman of colour ‘a mixed-race girl who doesn’t belong’ in 2025? Disgusting. Emma, you belong at the very top.” Naomi Osaka: “Been there. Sending you all the love, Emma. You’re stronger than all of them.” Andy Murray: “Absolutely sickening.
Emma Raducanu is one of the nicest, hardest-working people in tennis. Proud to call her British.” Julia Riera’s Current Situation
Tournament security sources confirm Riera has been locked inside a secure room at the venue for her own safety. Hundreds of fans outside are chanting “Racista! Racista!” and police have been called.
Her coach and agent have both resigned on the spot.
Emma Raducanu’s Final Act Before Leaving Buenos Aires
As she boarded her private transfer to the airport, Raducanu stopped, turned to the waiting cameras, and posted a single Instagram story:
A Union Jack flag. Caption: “See you in Melbourne, darlings. ♠️”
The 2026 Australian Open — where Raducanu will defend her 2021 US Open legacy as a Grand Slam champion — suddenly feels a very long way away for everyone except Emma herself.
One thing is certain: the tennis world will never forget December 3, 2025.
…Y mientras el circuito intentaba procesar el impacto, varias voces pidieron frenar la “economía del linchamiento” y centrarse en hechos verificables: video completo, transcripción oficial y comunicados antes de convertir una indignación legítima en sentencia definitiva.
Otros señalaron un punto incómodo: si la WTA actúa con dureza aquí, deberá aplicar el mismo estándar a cualquier comentario xenófobo o racista sin importar el ranking o la nacionalidad.
En Buenos Aires, el torneo quedó atrapado entre la presión de patrocinadores, la seguridad del recinto y la reputación del deporte. Para Raducanu, en cambio, el episodio redefine su narrativa pública: de promesa a símbolo.
Melbourne ya no será solo tenis; será un juicio global a lo que el deporte tolera.