Young star providing huge motivation to girls across country
IAIN BATES has watched first hand as Emma
Radacanu has taken New York by storm.
And, as head of women’s tennis at the LTA, he believes the 18-year-old’s rocketing rise to fame that led all the way to the US Open final can galvanise the grassroots game in Britain – as well as act as a massive motivation for the girls who have followed a similar pathway as the Kent youngster.
Raducanu was one of three British girls, Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart were the others, who made it through qualifying to the main draw at Flushing Meadows. Although she was the only one to make it beyond the first round, Bates is convinced they will take inspiration from her exploits.
Just as importantly, he insists, will be the number of kids picking up racquets to emulate Emma.
And he believes her outgoing personality, as well as supreme on-court skills, are a massive billboard for the sport.
He needs to look no further than his own living room to witness the Emma Effect.
“I think when it comes to making my job easier, it’s at two levels,” he said. “One is around trying to challenge the others to make that kind of progress but, secondly, to get more kids playing the game to have more players in the pathway.
“There’s a couple of times my 10-yearold daughter has been absolutely transfixed by all of this – and if that is being replicated across the country, then that’s awesome.
“We’ve all seen it, those of us that are here, the way she’s going about her business – how engaging she is when she’s playing.
“I think she just transcends the immediate tennis audience.
‘‘And I think for tennis at home that’s so important because it’s not only a great story with a young player, but it’s I think it’s quite easy to connect with her and to inspire more people to pick up a racquet and give tennis a go. I think it is hugely beneficial.
“But I think it is also giving the challenge to the broader player group.
We had six women playing here, and Emma was one of them. Okay now, Emma qualified and had this exceptional run, but I think it’s also showing to the other group that it’s possible.”
Bates admits he’s been hugely impressed by the manner in which Raducanu has taken in her stride the attention that has been heaped upon her, first at Wimbledon where she reached the fourth round, and now at Flushing Meadows.
He added: “The thing I find quite remarkable is how level-headed she is despite the huge
attention and the pressure that’s been on her.
“I think she’s very calm and level-headed and her personality is always fun and enlightening – engaging and easy to connect with.
“She has set the tone for what can be done.”