Emma Raducanu's US Open title reign came to an end last night when she was knocked out in the first round of this year's competition by Alizé Cornet.

It was an incredible start to the tournament for the Frenchwoman, who issued the champion her first ever defeat at Flushing Meadows.

Following her straight sets loss, Raducanu delivered a refreshingly honest post-match interview.

The 19-year-old, who will face a hefty drop in the world rankings as a result of her defeat, said she was sad her title reign had come to an end but  ultimately felt a wave of relief.

"Obviously it's really disappointing, I'm really sad to leave here. It's probably my favourite tournament," Raducanu admitted. "But also in a way I'm happy because it's a clean slate.

"I'm going to drop down the rankings, climb my way back up. The target will be off my back slightly."

Raducanu
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts against Alize Cornet of France in their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts against Alize Cornet of France in their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Ever since she made history in New York last year, Raducanu has kept her expectations of further achievements reined in.

She may have been catapulted into the limelight after winning last year's US Open, but the fame that comes hand-in-hand with success does not appear to have clouded her judgement.

In fact, Raducanu has said on multiple occasions that the only pressure she feels on her shoulders comes from the media.

Indeed, as an overnight teenage champion, expectations from third parties soared and her form was being heavily criticised at times.

Since winning the US Open title, Raducanu has failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament and she has also struggled with a series of different injuries.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada during their Women's Singles final match on Day Thirteen of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada during their Women's Singles final match on Day Thirteen of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The external pressure on the 19-year-old defending champion was enormous and Raducanu stressed she is almost glad it's over so she can focus on her rise back to the top.

"I've been doing some really good work, in the last six weeks especially," she said. "I'm just looking forward to putting more of those weeks together consistently, then we'll see what happens.

"With perspective, actually as a 19-year-old, I've not had a bad year. To be [in the] top 100 — if you told me that a year ago, I'd take it."

Raducanu's positive attitude will surely set her up for a relatively stress-free run once the US Open ends. Will she find herself easing back into form once the pressure is off?