Emma Raducanu is a professional tennis player from Romania. In 2018, she made her first appearance in the US Open final and met Lewis Hamilton, who came to watch the match. She also has a very close relationship with her mum, who cooks amazing food.
‘It’s still registering!’ – Raducanu discusses the ‘whirlwind’ experience of winning the US Open with Breakfast.
As she watched Saturday’s final for the first time since coming home, US Open winner Emma Raducanu said it seemed like someone else was playing.
Before returning to London on Thursday, the 18-year-old celebrated his historic victory in New York.
She told Breakfast on Friday that being the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles championship in 44 years is “gradually settling in.”
“I tried to recall how it felt while I watched the final,” she said.
“It’s still a tornado of an adventure.” I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, yet it’s tough to put into words.
“It almost seems like it’s not me who’s playing and pulling off some of those shots while I’m watching it [the final].”
“I was really pleased of how I handled some difficult situations.”
Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam with a straight-set victory against Leylah Fernandez, raising her to world number 23 and British number one.
Despite the stakes, the youngster claimed she “didn’t feel any tension” when she walked out in front of a sold-out Arthur Ashe stadium.
She said, “I was simply having a lot of fun out there.”
“That’s what helped since I wasn’t worrying about anything off the court or out of my control.”
“I believe that was the key to my having the run that I had because I wasn’t distracted; I was simply focused on what I needed to accomplish and I did it.”
Raducanu is a ‘one-off,’ according to Sue Barker.
Raducanu’s celebrations included bus karaoke, meeting Hamilton, and dumplings.
Raducanu was asked to celebrate at different parties throughout the city after mesmerizing the New York audience.
But, after the victory, she had some time to contemplate with her teammates as they rode “a kind of celebration bus” back to their hotel.
“There was a lot of music, and we were all just singing along,” Raducanu recalled, citing Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond and Mr Brightside by The Killers as two favorites.
“After that, we had a very wonderful night simply chatting till early in the morning, thinking on the whole experience and what an incredible time we’d had.”
Raducanu was invited to the star-studded Met Gala between appearances on prime-time American morning television and a visit to the Stock Exchange.
“I chatted with Lewis Hamilton at the Met Gala, which was very amazing since I’m a big lover of racing and Formula One,” she said.
“It was great to talk to him and everyone else present.”
On Monday, Raducanu attended the Met Gala in New York.
On Monday, Raducanu attended the Met Gala in New York.Raducanu’s feet are firmly planted on the ground now that she has returned home, and the highlight of her first night back was “some very delicious handmade dumplings” prepared by her mother.
She attributes her mental strength to her parents’ “tough love” for allowing her to win her first major championship at such a young age.
“When I got back, they simply gave me a hug. Nothing wild, no huge celebration. They’re just remaining quiet and saying they’re happy of me is enough,” she said.
“I’ll simply leave it to my parents and my team,” Raducanu said of the £1.8 million prize money won in the US Open victory.
“I’m just concentrating on what I like doing, which is competing, and they can handle the rest.”
What is Raducanu’s next step?
Raducanu is remaining modest in the aftermath of her win, telling Radio 2 that she is just grateful that her ranking has risen to the point where she can “play the biggest events” and “compete with the best.”
She may be given a wildcard to compete at Indian Wells, California, on October 7th, and the season-ending WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico, in November.
This year’s top eight scorers will qualify for the event, and Raducanu has moved up to 14th place in the standings.
She stated, “I haven’t really discussed my tournament schedule yet.”
“My tournament choices have changed significantly due to a change in my rating. I need to talk about it and sit down to figure out what I should do next.
“It’s been a long and arduous seven weeks for me. I’m in desperate need of some relaxation and recuperation time, as enduring seven weeks on the road has been physically and mentally taxing.
“I truly need to recuperate and revitalize so that next time I can go to any event I choose.”
The possibility of seeing Raducanu at Wimbledon in June 2023 is perhaps most intriguing for British tennis fans. Due to respiratory problems, she was forced to retire from the fourth round of this year’s competition.
However, if she hasn’t chosen on her next event, the youngster will not be dragged into speculation about her chances at the All England Club.
“I believe one should stick with Tim Henman,” Raducanu remarked when asked how ‘Henman Hill’ could be called throughout her matches.
“He’s a huge inspiration to me, and he’s been very helpful. I’m definitely looking forward to Wimbledon, but it’s still a long way off, and I still have a lot to learn.”
