‘No stopping a class act...even in lockdown’
TENNIS has been stunned by her rapid rise, but Emma Raducanu’s neighbours, teachers and youth coaches knew she was destined for great things.
Proud ChristineWhatling, 81, joked how the youngster almost smashed her windows practising during lockdown in their Bromley cul-de-sac.
She said: “We’ve seen her playing tennis out there, especially during Covid.
“But we were a bit worried because the way she was whacking the ball, we were thinking, ‘Somebody’s windows are going to go in a minute!’We didn’t realise she was a professional tennis player. Now I realise why it was going fast!
“Obviously we’re really proud of her.
It’s the first time we’ve had somebody like that from here.”
Emma started playing at
Bromley Tennis Academy from the age of 10.
She credits her determination to Romanian dad Ian and Chinese mum Renee.
Nicknamed “Radders” by friends, she recently revealed her parents had to encourage their very shy girl to get into the sport.
Emma said: “My parents definitely have high expectations. I have to be the best, do the best I can.When I was younger it was to please them, but
now it’s great for me to do it on my own.”
The teenager, whose only treats are peanut butter and dark chocolate, speaks Mandarin and loves binge-watching Taiwanese TV shows. She reckons she would be a lawyer if not a tennis player.
Teachers knew she would end up a professional sportswoman in some way, having excelled at ballet, go-karting, swimming and horse-riding before picking up a tennis racket.
Rebecca Rodgers, her former headteacher at Bickley Primary School, recalled watching open-mouthed as
Emma rallied with a tennis coach in their playground.
She said: “She was always sporty and would win all the sprint races on sports day.
“She was very shy, too, but we had some tennis coaching in her reception year.With most kids you’re lucky if they’re even making contact with the ball.
“But there was Emma having a rally with the coaches.We couldn’t quite believe it.”
Bickley’s PE co-ordinator Basak Kaynak recalled the new British No 1 returning to the school in July for its sports day. She said: “She didn’t just come and watch. She was part of it. She ran some of the events.We are so incredibly proud of her.”
Emma then moved on to grammar school Newstead Wood, also attended by Olympic runner Dina Asher-Smith.
Headteacher Alan Blount allowed her to play before and
after school as well as travel to overseas events.
Alan said: “Sometimes Emma did early morning sessions and would be in school for 8.45am.
“Then she could be back there as soon as school had finished.
“We’ve been very lucky to have both Dina and Emma. I’m looking around our Year 7s now and thinking, ‘Who’s going to be next?’”
PE teacher Sarah Eells described her as a role model. She said: “Her mindset is so strong. She has all the qualities of an elite sportswoman.
“She will go all the way. No drama or ego, she’s just very hardworking and dedicated.”
Bromley Tennis Centre’s senior manager Tom Defrates said Emma trained five hours-a-day and still returns.
He said: “She’s a really good egg – so down to earth.”
And head of development Luke House said: “Motivation will go up in young players, potentially in girls as well.”