If you haven’t heard the name Emma Raducanu over the past week or so, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Having supposedly coming out of nowhere, she has reached the Women’s US Open finals and is now gearing up for a battle of supremacy against Canadian representative Leylah Fernandez later tonight (September 11th, 2021).
So, where has this Canadian-born, British professional come from? Exactly how old is she? And why is Emma Raducanu the name now on everybody's lips? Let’s find out…
Who is Emma Raducanu?
Born on November 13th, 2002, Emma Raducanu is an 18-year-old British professional tennis player who has already achieved a stunning three singles titles on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit.
Having previously noted Simona Halep and Li Na as her tennis idols, Raducanu picked up the racket and began playing the sport at the tender age of five. Not just smart on the court, she obtained an A* in mathematics and an A in economics at A-Level, following her college studies.
It was just three years ago in 2018 when Raducanu turned professional and to-date, she has a Singles career record of 69 wins against 22 losses, making for an impressive average win percentage of 75.8%. Though she doesn’t have a career title just yet, that could all change at this year’s US Open.
How has Raducanu's tennis career gone so far?
Before the US Open final, Raducanu made her Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour main draw debut at the 2021 Nottingham Open, having achieved entry on a wildcard. She would then also make her Wimbledon debut in June of the same year, once again getting through on a wildcard and making it to the third round of the championships. Unfortunately, she would have to retire from the competition when she faced breathing difficulties during the fourth round.
Achieving a ranking of No. 186, Raducanu later played at the Silicon Valley Classic in August, entering on a wildcard but unfortunately losing in the first round to Zhang Shuai. This led to the changing of her coach from Nigel Sears to Andrew Richardson, before Raducanu then reached the final of the WTA 125 tournaments, losing to eventual winner, Clara Tauson.
The performance brought her world ranking to a career high of No. 150 - but that's a ranking which has already been climbing tremendously.
So, how has Raducanu's time been at the US Open 2021?
At this year's US Open, Raducanu has beaten Bibiane Schoofs, Mariam Bolkvadze and Mayar Sherif in straight sets during the qualifying rounds. In the main draw, she beat Stefanie Voegele, Zhang Shuai, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Shelby Rogers, Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari to reach the final, without dropping a single set. In the process, she's gained more than 100 ranking places, toppling Johanna Konta as the British women's singles No. 1.
Tonight (September 11th, 2021), she will take part in the first all-teenage women's singles final since the 1999 US Open between Serena Williams and Martina Hingis, making history whether she comes home with the first place prize or not.
One thing we know for sure: she is going to be one to watch in the years and decades to come.
RELATED: Early video footage of Emma Raducanu highlights her prodigious talents
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