EMMA SENDS LTA SHINY THANK-YOU
EMMA RADuCANu has made a long-term loan of her uS Open trophy to the National Tennis Centre as a thank you for the support she received from the British game. After making the last eight of the Transylvania Open yesterday, the Kent teenager revealed that she wanted the trophy displayed at Roehampton in appreciation of the assistance she has had from the Lawn Tennis Association.
‘I just think the LTA have done so much for me and I wanted them to have it as a sign and a big thank-you for everything they’ve done, helping me through the young ages,’ said Raducanu after defeating Romania’s Ana Bogdan 6-3, 6-4.
‘They took control in my development so it’s a little gift. I haven’t actually seen it yet. I got it shipped straight to the NTC so I can’t wait to go.’
Raducanu showed more evidence of what a talent she is yesterday in beating a determined opponent ranked just outside the top 100 with more ease than her first-round progression.
It set up an intriguing quarterfinal today against 19-year-old ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, the world No 55.
Kostyuk took a very different tennis path through her teenage years from Raducanu, dedicating herself to the game with a professional zeal while the British player was giving more priority to gaining GCSEs and A-levels.
When the two players’ paths crossed in junior events, the amount of time they were giving to tennis was evident.
‘Marta is a great opponent, she absolutely destroyed me in the juniors every single time, so it will be an interesting match. I’m looking forward to it,’ said Raducanu. ‘But she was playing full time and practising, on the road, from a very young age.
‘She developed a lot of skills doing that. I kind of came from behind and caught up this year.
‘I was taking months off at a time sitting exams or because of the Covid pandemic while other players were playing on the tour. I definitely wanted to get out there myself, but I just needed to trust that I was doing the right thing.
‘That hunger that I got from taking a bit of a break has helped me throughout this summer.’
It will be the first quarter-final Raducanu has played at regular WTA Tour level after proving too solid for Bogdan, who nonetheless provided a decent test for the Grand Slam winner.