Emma Raducanu’s dad beams with pride as US Open champion returns to UK

Emma Raducanu supporters in Bromley celebrate win

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Emma Raducanu has officially arrived back on home soil following her historic US Open win. The 18-year-old left her Kent home ranked at a then-career high of No 179 in the world following her Wimbledon exploits, and returns as US Open champion and the new world No 23. It’s the first time she has been united with her parents after becoming the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam.

Raducanu became an overnight sensation after making history by winning the US Open on Saturday (September 11).

She was the first-ever qualifier to make a Grand Slam final, and went one better by winning the title as she convincingly overcame fellow-teenager Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4 6-3.

The win also made her the first player in history to win the title on their second appearance at Grand Slam level, and she ended Britain’s 44-year wait for a female singles champion.

The nature of her unprecedented run in Flushing Meadows – failing to drop a set through three rounds of qualifying and seven main-draw matches – earned her worldwide attention, with invitations to events like the Met Gala and the latest James Bond premiere flying in.

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While the US Open win has propelled Raducanu up the rankings to world No 23, earned her a £1.8m prize money cheque, and seen her reach newfound levels of superstardom, the teenager has remained humble, admitting that she was mostly pleased to exceed her parents’ high expectations.

“They are my toughest critics, they are very hard to please but I got them with this one,” she said, during an appearance on Good Morning America.

“It was really nice to talk to them after I won. They were just so happy and proud of me.”

The champion has now returned home and reunited with her parents for the first time since winning the title in New York, posing for photos on the front lawn of her Kent home.

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The 18-year-old landed at London Heathrow at around 6.30am according to The Telegraph, travelling first-class on a British Airways flight from JFK with eyewitness reports that Anna Wintour was another passenger on the plane.

She reportedly returned to her home in a quiet Bromley cul-de-sac at around 8.45am and briefly stopped to pose for photos alone and with dad Ian.

“It’s a great feeling to be back home. I’ve been away for seven weeks so it’s nice to be back,” she told reporters.

“It’s nice to see them [her parents] again. I haven’t thought about what’s next. I’m just enjoying it and relaxing and recovering.”

She was asked where her US Open trophy was and revealed it was “getting shipped”, and when questioned on whether she was going to celebrate with family or catch up with friends she said: “Not sure. Haven’t even thought about it.”

Meanwhile, her dad Ian said: “I am so happy. I am very proud of her.”

As for what’s next for Raducanu, she recently told WTA Insider that she would be shutting off from tennis for a week before returning to practice.

“I know I’ll get back to work probably Monday or early next week to get back to training again. Schedule-wise, I’m not sure. Maybe Indian Wells, I don’t know,” she said.
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