British tennis superstar Emma Raducanu has revealed that she wished her parents were in New York to see her win the astonishing US Open final on Saturday after the draconian COVID rules kept them in Britain in a candid post-match press conference.
The 18-year-old from Kent, who became Britain’s first female Grand Slam winner in 44 years after defeating Canadian rival Lelyah Fernandez in straight sets at Flushing Meadows, admitted that she doesn’t talk much about tennis with her parents.
Emma Raducanu also said her tough to please father told her that she was even better than he thought, after becoming the first Briton to win a major since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977 and the first qualifier to triumph in a Grand Slam, in either the men’s or women’s game.
She told reporters that she’d spoken to her parents, but that they actually didn’t talk much about tennis, and that they just really want to know how she is in these moments, and not to have them there with her, she would have loved to have had them there, so that they could all celebrate together, or that they could have been with her to experience the same things, but that they were at home and extremely proud.
Emma Raducanu’s parents Ian and Renee Raducanu have been hugely influential in their daughter’s extraordinary journey. Romanian Ian and Renee, who’s Chinese, were living in Toronto, Canada, when only child Emma was born, and the family moved to the United Kingdom when she was two.
Both work in finance and the home is in a cul de sac in Bromley, southeast London, where Emma and her dad would hit tennis balls together in the street during the COVID lockdowns. However, they weren’t able to travel to the US to attend the tournament because of COVID rules.
In an interview with the BBC after posing for photos outside Artur Ashe Stadium, Emma Raducanu also said it meant everything to get a letter from the Queen congratulating the teen on her astonishing victory on Saturday and revealed she’s planning on framing the note.
The message from the Queen to the teenager read: ‘I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships. 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.’
Emma did extremely well, although it’s a shame that her parents couldn’t be there to cheer her on properly, but she’s put a smile on everyone’s faces and done Britain proud – she should enjoy the moment but she should also keep her feet firmly on the ground.
Salutations to Emma Raducanu on being the first Britain in 44 years on winning the US Open finals. She’s just inspired children to pick up a tennis racket.
This extraordinary young lady has made us British so proud.
There should be more unaccessible sports in the more deprived inner-city schools up and down this country, and disabled children should be able to participate as well because it’s character building, discipline and pride that makes this country great.
And self-esteem and confidence cuts crime and could build future world champions.
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