Emma Raducanu’s career has garnered attention far sooner than she may have desired. She shot to fame with her victory at the 2021 US Open, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in tennis history.
She broke the 44-year British drought for a women’s Grand Slam singles champion at the tender age of 18, succeeding Virginia Wade, the 1977 Wimbledon victor. Raducanu wowed the tennis world by defeating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). She became the youngest Briton to win a Grand Slam and the first female winner of the US Open without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2014.
Not just for British tennis, but for British sport in general, it appeared to be a turning point. Raducanu appeared ready to take the tennis world by storm as a superstar possessing charisma, talent, and maturity well beyond her years. It seemed that Virginia Wade, who was watching from the stands, was passing the baton to the next great British player.
