Emma Raducanu speaks out after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Countdown: Clare Balding pays tribute to Emma Raducanu

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Emma Raducanu has expressed her delight at winning the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award, beating second-placed Tom Daley and Adam Peaty, who finished third in the voting. Raducanu was shortlisted among six fellow Brits for the prestigious award, which also included Tyson Fury, Raheem Sterling and Dame Sarah Storey.

The tennis ace, who gripped the hearts of the nation with her stunning US Open triumph, took home the main prize.

Raducanu tested positive for Covid earlier in the week so was self-isolating in Abu Dhabi and joined the BBC on a video call to give her winner’s speech.

She said: “It’s such an honour to even be among these nominees and congrats to you [Tom Daley] for an amazing year and all your achievements.

“To win it’s pretty amazing to me. I am really happy with this of course.

“I watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up so I’m really happy to join the winners.

“I’m also very happy for British tennis that we’re able to get this award again.

“Also thank you so much to all of the voters and fans for all the support I have received this year, it has been absolutely insane.

“Especially the energy I felt at Wimbledon this year playing in front of my home crowd, that was something that I have never felt before so thank you very much,

“Also I would like to say a big thank you to my team, my past coaches, the LTA, my family and friends, thank you so much.

“And congrats to everyone else’s teams because it is definitely a team effort.”

Tributes poured in for Raducanu, led by former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who won the award himself in 1998.

“Congratulations to @EmmaRaducanu who thoroughly deserves to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2021,” he tweeted.

“Makes me feel very old that she’s the same age as I was waaaaay back in 1998.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge added: “Congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on a truly incredible year.”

And presenter Gary Lineker tweeted after the show: “Congratulations to @EmmaRaducanu on winning @BBCSPOTY. Thoroughly meritorious, even in a year of magnificence from so many.”

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