Top five achievements of teenage sensation Emma Raducanu

The 19-year-old became the first British woman since 1977 to win a Grand Slam title.

British teenager Emma Raducanu created quite a buzz after winning the US Open women's title this year. She became the first British woman since Virginia Wade in 1977 to win a Grand Slam singles title. On top of that, she is also the highest ranked British singles player at the moment.

However things haven't been as smooth for the British star since her maiden Grand Slam win. The 18-year-old sensation crashed out of Indian Wells in her opening match in straight sets against unseeded Belarussian Aliaksandra Sasnovich. She also couldn't participate in the 2021 Kremlin Cup because of scheduling conflicts. Her most recent loss came in the quarter -finals of the Transylvania Cup against Ukranian Marta Kostyuk. After having parted ways with her coach Andrew Richardson, she has only had temporary coaches accompanying her to tournaments.

But, having said that, it cannot be denied that Raducanu has star material written all over her. Her accomplishments at such a tender age are a testament to the fact. Today, we take a look at some of those achievements which made her a youth sports icon.

5. Won the ITF NECC-Deccan tournament in 2019

Before winning the US Open title in 2021, the ITF Deccan tournament was Emma Raducanu's most notable title victory. The tournament was organized in Pune, Maharashtra with a prize money of $25,000 for the winner.

The event hosted at the Deccan Gymkhana Club saw Raducanu facing off against compatriot Naikitha Bains in the final. Emma had defeated Russian Olga Doroshina in the semi-final to book her berth in the final. Raducanu dropped the first set against Bains, but came back strong in the second and finally wrapped it up in the third.

The match ended with a 3-6,6-1,6-4 result in favour of Emma Raducanu.

4. Reached quarter-finals at US Open, Wimbledon in girls division

Just like many top players, the talent of Emma Raducanu came into focus in the juniors division. She reached the quarter-finals in the girls' singles division at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018. At Wimbledon, it was the current World No. 11 Iga Swiatek who stopped her run. The British tennis player lost in devastating fashion in that encounter with a 6-0,6-1 result. Infact, one of her opponents that year was Leylah Fernadez, whom she met in the memorable US Open final in 2021.

Emma's US Open 2018 run too ended at the quarter-final stages. This time her opponent was the French girl Clara Burel. Raducanu could put up no resistance in a 6-2, 6-0 loss.

3. Won LTA British Tour Masters

The British Tour Masters is a tournament which is primarily designed to give upcoming players exposure, helping them gain much-needed experience.

Emma Raducanu won this prestigious tournament in 2020. She defeated Amarni Banks in the final. The match ended with an easy 6-1,6-4 victory for the teenage sensation, with Banks literally finding no answers to Raducanu's aggressive first serves and fierce returns.

2. Reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2021

The year 2021 was going to be a special year for Emma Raducanu. She reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time. Moreover, it was her first Grand Slam that year.

The 2021 edition of Wimbledon marked her first Grand Slam entry. The wildcard entrant made her way into the fourth round with the help of straight set victories, until finally meeting Australian Alja Tomlijanovic. Unfortunately, for Emma this didn't go as planned. After trailing in the match, Raducanu had to take a medical timeout. Finally, after consultation with her trainer and doctors, she had to retire. It was later revealed that she was having breathing difficulty during the match.

Even then it was a honourable moment for British tennis, as Raducanu became the youngest Brit player ( 18 years and 239 days) to reach the last 16 in the Open Era. The match ended with a score of 4-6, 0-3 for Raducanu, but it did show her potential at the senior level.

1. Won US Open

Teenage sensation Emma Raducanu not only won the US Open this year but also made a lot of records in the process. Firstly, she became the only qualifier to reach the semi-finals and final of the US Open in the Open Era. She also became the youngest player to reach the final since Maria Sharapova in 2006. Secondly, she became the second woman born in 2002 to reach the final of the US Open.

She also became first British woman since Virginia Wade to reach the final since 1968. Moreover, she was the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win a Grand Slam without dropping a set at the US Open. Additionally, Emma also holds the distinction of being the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era.

The girl from Kent put the world on notice and stormed on her way to championship glory. A sweet victory over an old rival in Leylah Fernandez at the final to top it off. A 6-4,6-3 scoreline that didn't just stay as a mere result, but announced the arrival of a leading British tennis star.

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