Emma Raducanu becomes the first ever British born Tennis player to win the US Open in 44 years. She defeated Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in a match of the highest intensity to win the title without dropping a set. This is just Raducanu’s second grand slam main draw appearance and no woman in the Open era had ever won in so few attempts.
Raducanu is the first British woman to win a grand slam title since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon victory in 1977. She is the first qualifier, man or woman, to win a grand slam title. At 18, she is the youngest grand slam champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
From the very beginning of the first slam final between teenagers in 22 years, both players refused to be affected by the moment or their youth in that matter. Raducanu started the match by controlling the early exchanges by constantly changing direction off both wings, and she set the tone by snapping a cross-court backhand winner in the opening game.
The momentum continued to move Raducanu’s direction as she marched up to lead 6-4, 1-0 and 0-40 on Fernandez’s serve. After congratulating Fernandez and her team on their run and thanking her own entourage and supporters, the victor said: “It was an incredibly difficult match but I thought the level was extremely high. I hope we play each other in many more tournaments and hopefully finals.”
Life will never be the same again for the teenager as she claims a £1.8 million cheque - more than her entire career winnings to date - and soars up the rankings from 150 to 23. Millions back home were watching, including the Queen who sent a letter from Balmoral, writing: "It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication."
After her victory, Raducanu planted a kiss on the silver trophy and beamed at the adoring 24,000 fans inside the Arthur Ashe arena.