EMMA RADUCANU is having a ball after her incredible US Open victory
WHY THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE TENNIS SUPERSTAR
Wrapping her arms around the US Open trophy, teen tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is still on cloud nine as she comes to terms with her overnight transition from unknown British schoolgirl to the world’s most talked-about sports star. And last week, her place on the A-list was cemented when she attended the prestigious Met Gala in New York, rocking a monochrome Chanel ensemble with Tiffany jewellery and mingling with Hollywood’s finest. “I had an amazing time there and I managed to see Lewis Hamilton, which was really cool because I’m a huge motorsports fan,” she said afterwards.
RECORD BREAKER
Following her record-breaking victory at New York’s Flushing Meadows, it was a whirlwind few days for the 18-yearold, who became the first qualifier to win a tennis major as well as Britain’s first female Grand Slam trophy winner in 44 years.
The Queen led the nation in congratulating her, sending a personal message moments after she beat Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, 19, in a nail-biting final, having won all ten of her matches in straight sets.
“I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships,” Her Majesty said, in a letter delivered
on court via the British Consulate General in New York.
“It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age and is testament to your hard work and dedication. I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players. I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters.”
The monarch’s sentiments were echoed by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who said: “We are all so proud,” while tennis fan and Wimbledon patron the Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: “Huge congratulations @ EmmaRaducanu on your stunning performances and historic Grand Slam victory! Incredible – we are all so proud of you.”
‘I never in my life thought that Her Majesty would watch one of my matches. It’s so special’
FAMOUS FANS
An overwhelmed Emma, who earlier this summer was ranked 338th in the world, said: “I never in my life thought that Her Majesty would watch one of my matches. It’s so special; I can’t believe it’s happening. I’m so grateful to have received that message.”
While an audience of 9.2 million tuned in to watch the action on Channel 4, global streaming service Prime Video reported that the one hour 51 minute final was the “most streamed tennis match ever”.
Among those watching was Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tweeted his congratulations, as did England footballer Marcus Rashford, who had sent Emma a message of support after she pulled out of
Wimbledon. “Look at that bounce back @EmmaRaducanu. US Open champion. Congratulations.”
The Spice Girls tweeted: “That’s Girl Power right there!!” while there was also praise from Johanna Konta, the British player Emma has replaced as UK No. 1, as well as tennis legends Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade, the last British woman to win a Grand Slam title – at Wimbledon – in 1977.
Meanwhile, former British men’s No. 1 Greg Rusedski summed up the nation’s excitement, saying: “A star was born tonight… The future is so bright. She is going to be a multi-Grand Slam winner, a world No. 1.”
Emma’s meteoric rise from obscurity to international stardom in just a few short weeks has captivated the world. But teachers at Bickley Primary School in Bromley in south-east London, where she first picked up a racquet at the age of five, aren’t entirely surprised.
“We had some tennis coaching in the summer of her reception year, and with most kids at that age, you’re lucky if they’re even making contact [ with the ball],” recalls Rebecca Rodger. “But there was Emma having a rally with the coaches. We couldn’t quite believe it. Even then I remember thinking that we were going to see her at Wimbledon.”
Born in Toronto, Canada, Emma and her parents moved to the UK when she was two and she credits her Romanian-born father Ian and Chinese mother Renee, who both work in financial services, with instilling her work ethic and tenacity.
While she trained at Bromley Tennis Centre as a
child, they were also keen for her to enjoy other activities, such as ballet and dirt biking – and to continue her studies.
“My parents have high expectations, in anything, not even just tennis,” Emma has said.
“They want me to have options; they think my education is very important for my future.”
This summer, after sitting her A-levels at Newstead Wood School in Orpington – achieving an A* in maths and an A in economics – she was given a wild card to enter the Wimbledon tournament and reached the quarter finals, having practised with her dad in their cul- de- sac during lockdowns.
When she withdrew after suffering an on- court bout of anxiety and breathing difficulties, few could have predicted she would bounce back in such spectacular style.
“It’s crazy to think that three months ago I was in an exam hall and now I’m on the biggest court in the world,” she said in New York.
BACK ON HOME TURF
Covid-19 restrictions meant Ian and Renee couldn’t be there with her and had to watch the match on TV, but she was reunited with her parents five days after her stunning victory when she flew home to the UK, where she admitted she was excited to sleep in her own bed.
“I had a really nice meal, homemade dumplings by my mum. I was craving them so getting a taste of home was very, very nice, so I’ve done that,” she said.
And after being told that tennis centres up and down the country are booming since her win, she said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Can I say, I can’t get a tennis court either, I still can’t get a court!”
After being handed $ 2.5m (£ 1.8m) in prize money, the first thing Emma plans to do is buy a new set of £115 earphones to replace the ones she lost recently.
“I have been telling myself before each match: ‘If you win, you can buy yourself another pair of AirPods,’” she said. Now, marketing experts predict she could earn £150m from sponsors, endorsement deals and advertising campaigns, while she’s favourite to win December’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Emma, though, simply wants to enjoy her extraordinary success.
“I’m just loving life,” she said.
‘It’s crazy that three months ago I was in an exam hall and now I’m on the biggest court in the world’