Emma Raducanu crowned Sports Personality of the Year winner to complete remarkable 2021

Countdown: Clare Balding pays tribute to Emma Raducanu

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Tennis star Emma Raducanu has been named this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year after a remarkable rise to stardom in 2021. The 19-year-old held off the likes of Tom Daley and Tyson Fury to land the trophy at the award ceremony at Media City UK in Salford on Sunday night. Adam Peaty finished third with Daley finishing second.

Raducanu burst onto the scene in the summer as she stormed to the last 16 of Wimbledon after being handed a wildcard for the tournament.

She was ranked No 338 in the world ahead of her SW19 endeavours but stunned fans with her performances before being forced to pull out of her fourth-round match with Ajla Tomljanovic after suffering breathing difficulties.

The teenager then took her place in the main draw of the US Open after coming through three qualifying matches in straight sets.

And she caused one of the biggest shocks in tennis history as she claimed the Flushing Meadows title after dispatching Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

Raducanu didn’t drop a set in the entire tournament as she wrote one of the most incredible stories in tennis history.

Her victory in New York put the player straight into the record books as she became the first qualifier – male or female – to win one of the four Grand Slams.

She was also the first British woman to win one of the major tournaments since Virginia Wade tasted glory at Wimbledon in 1977.

And Raducanu also became the youngest Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova claimed title success in south west London in 2004 at the age of 17.

Raducanu had been the overwhelming favourite to land the SPOTY accolade after her dream-like achievements this year.

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She will now undertake her final preparations ahead of next month’s Australian Open, which is due to get underway on Monday, January 17.

Daley just missed out on winning the BBC award despite claiming his first ever Olympic gold medal this summer.

The 27-year-old won the synchronised 10-metre platform competition in Tokyo alongside Matty Lee. He backed that up by taking bronze in the men’s 10-metre platform final.

Fury, meanwhile, was in the running after retaining his WBC crown in Las Vegas back in October when he defeated Deontay Wilder for a second time.

The Gypsy King knocked his opponent out in the 11th round as the fight was described by some as the best in the history of the sport.

Peaty finished third behind Daley and Raducanu having in 2021 become the first British swimmer in history to retain an Olympic title.

He also was a key member of the world record-breaking Mixed Medley relay team as Team GB swimmers took four goals in Tokyo.

Raheem Sterling and Dame Sarah Storey were also nominated for the award, but likewise couldn’t overcome Raducanu.

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