This is an article “Turning The Spotlight on Emma Raducanu’s Rising Star” by Marc Pulisci
Not many people know that this young British tennis champion also happens to be a straight ‘A’ math and economics student. What most of us know for sure is that she recently conquered this year’s US Open. It’s easy to be impressed, considering Emma Radunacu finished her A-levels only weeks before one of the most incredible moments in sport. Even easier if you factor in her 20-set winning streak at the same tournament to become the first British woman to earn a US Open finals slot since Virginia Wade in 1977.
The former Newstead Wood School alumni is very familiar with success as she achieved high grades in all of her school years, shooting straight to the Finals of the US Open and securing a world number 22 rank in the process.
Like the ‘It Girls’ of tennis before her, the 18-year old personifies the type of role model who exudes positivity, grace, and determination, as evident in her social media pages. However, many wonder if her stardom is destined to rise or fade just as quickly as she gained it.
The Indian Wells shocker
As she prepares for another epic season next year, Emma Raducanu might still be wondering how a triumphant US Open final turned quickly into a first-round defeat at the BNP Paribas Open in California. After capturing her first-ever Grand Slam championship, the 18-year old was stunned by Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-4. It was pretty hard for the champion to discover the difference between being the attacker and the one attacked on court as Sasnovich displayed flawless defense and aggressive play.
Many would advise the youngster to charge everything to experience. During the first set, she appeared rattled and eventually lost it. She tried to regain her winning form with excellent forehands and great returns from second serves, but to no avail.
However, Sasnovich’s experience proved the better weapon in the next five games to tie the set at 4-4. From there on, there was just nothing left in Radunacu’s tank to answer Sasnovich’s easy winners. The British star’s impressive 10-match win streak in New York, with 20 sets won in as many sets played, was dimmed by two lost sets.
After the match, Radunacu was understandably disappointed and shocked, but admitted how Sasnovich, who went out during the first round of the US Open, played the better game. She told reporters that she enjoyed the energy and is looking forward to playing veteran players who could teach her more about the rigors of Grand Slams.
At any rate, the loss is something that offered many takeaways for the young champ. In retrospect, Raducanu didn’t apply too much pressure against her opponent nor herself during the match, not to mention her rather awry game plan. Then again, it’s important to note just how little tennis she had played during this year’s tour as well. Her appearance at the Indian Wells was only her third WTA tournament, requiring a wild card to qualify. Aside from that, her contest against Sasnovich was only the second she played at night. Regardless of whether the US Open title hangover or her relative inexperience is to blame for the outcome, Raducanu is confident she can keep her star shining come next season.
The hype is real
No less than women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova had good words to describe Raducanu’s star. Stating that the youngster’s mettle is not all hype, the 18-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t help but be impressed by Raducanu’s impressive US Open win streak. And who wouldn’t be? She has defeated former world number 21, 31-year old Sorana Cirstea of Romania, in straight sets at Wimbledon. Then, she ousted Maria Sakkari of Greece, who is currently at number 18; American Shelby Rogers; and Tokyo gold medalist and world number 12 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland at the US Open, all in similar fashion. For the US Open finals, she quickly toppled Canadian Leylah Fernandez’s run at the title 6-4 6-3 to complete her 10-match win streak.
It’s easy for tennis fans to spot Raducanu’s rising star, given her youth and early accomplishments against a string of veteran players. Perhaps, her promising career began when coach Nigel Sears (Andy Murray’s father-in-law) took her under his wing and trained her until July. That early, Sears had only great things to say for the young star, which doesn’t come very often from the famed trainer. And true enough, the 18-year old newbie proved her potential by being world number 338 pre-Wimbledon and ranked number 22 after the US Open.
The fuel that drives the champ
Sears acknowledges Raducanu’s smarts and discipline to go big at the right time. Even her parents think she is handling way too many matches, even in a season plagued by a pandemic. But that’s how she wants to prove herself – born to play and use all the energy she gets from the court to her advantage.
Under coach Andrew Richardson, who himself has Grand Slam experiences under his belt and has worked with Ross Hutchins, Miles Kasiri, and Alan Mackin, Raducanu captured the US Open. However, she again shifted to another coach for the succeeding Indian Wells, working with former British number 1 Jeremy Bates.
For every coach she has worked with, that ambition to win was constantly inflamed. Perhaps its fuel can be traced back to when she was younger and dabbled in ballet, horseback riding, swimming, and even karting. Being an only child, it was one fateful day when her parents fancied a game of tennis and brought her along for the ride that she knew which passion to pursue.
Her parents, who both work in the finance industry, witnessed the young star’s drive and how she gives more than 100% in everything she does. From the hallways of prestigious academies to the court, Raducanu is ready to go out and prove how she deserves all the attention. As British number 1, she had made appearances in some of the most talked-about celebrity events around, including the MET Gala and a doubles match with no less than the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. If those are any indication, we are about to see more of this rising star not only on the court, but as it would seem, practically everywhere as well.
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