Emma Raducanu issues warning to fans over expectations following US Open victory

Emma Raducanu reveals knee is still bleeding after US Open win

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Emma Raducanu has become the newest household name in the sporting world. The British teenager made history by winning the US Open as a qualifier, and has been propelled to superstardom with many tipping her to be as successful as the likes of Serena Williams. While big things are being predicted for the 18-year-old, she has issued a warning to those placing expectations on her shoulders.

Raducanu’s US Open victory was unprecedented, as she came through three rounds of qualifying and seven main-draw matches without dropping a set to win the title.

She became the first qualifier in history to reach a Major final, let alone win, and the first player to capture the title on their second-ever appearance at Grand Slam level.

The Bromley teenager also ended a 44-year drought for a British women’s singles champion at Grand Slam level, and a 53-year drought for a female British US Open champion.

The win made Raducanu a worldwide household sporting name and skyrocketed her to new levels of fame, with invitations to the prestigious Met Gala and the upcoming James Bond premiere sent her way.

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The 18-year-old has also been tipped to become a billionaire, with PR experts dubbing her a ‘marketer’s dream’ while the likes of Tiffany & Co and Chanel have been expected to offer her sponsorships and brand deals.

Many are hanging their hopes on Raducanu becoming the next big dominating force on the tennis tour, following her unprecedented three-month rise from world No 338 to world No 22 in the rankings.

She has already been able to win a Grand Slam title earlier in her career than the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic did, while her US Open final against Leylah Annie Fernandez was the first all-teenage final in New York since 1999, where a then-18-year-old Serena Williams beat Martina Hingis, then 19, to win the first of 23 and counting Major titles.

Although all signs point towards Raducanu becoming one of the best players on the WTA Tour, she has fired a warning to fans and wants them to manage expectations early in her career.

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She was full of praise for her opponent Fernandez, who herself turned 19 during the US Open fortnight.

“I think it’s amazing that two teenagers were in the final of a Grand Slam,” Raducanu told China Daily.

“I hope that we can play each other in a lot more events because Leylah is a great competitor and player.”

As well as Raducanu’s astonishing achievement in Flushing Meadows, the 19-year-old Canadian also had an impressive run.

Fernandez beat third seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka, three-time Grand Slam champion Angie Kerber, fifth seed Elina Svitolina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach the final, while ranked down at No 73 in the world ahead of the tournament.

She is now up to a career-high world No 28 and, like Raducanu, is in prime position to not only gail direct-entry into tournaments, but to be seeded at upcoming Grand Slams.

Although both players are now set for future success off the back of their respective runs at the US Open, Raducanu has warned that both of them are unlikely to consistently see the same results this early in their respective careers.

She added: “But I think it’s also very early days, and we still have a long way to go until maybe where we can consistently produce these sorts of results.”
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