Emma Raducanu’s world ranking rises again as she reaches new career high

Emma Raducanu reacts to messages from the royal family

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Emma Raducanu has reached new heights following her historic US Open triumph. In Monday’s (September 20) latest WTA rankings, the Brit has reached a new career high of world No 22. Just three months ago, she was ranked 338 in the world and has since become one of the biggest names in sport after lifting the trophy in Flushing Meadows as a qualifier.

Raducanu arrived at the US Open ranked at a then-career high of No.150 in the world.

The Bromley local reached the final of the WTA 125k event in Chicago before flying to New York to compete in the qualifying event, vying for a spot in her second successive Grand Slam main draw.

She had made her Grand Slam debut earlier in the summer at Wimbledon, where she received a wild card while ranked world No 338, and made it all the way to the second week before retiring from her fourth-round match with breathing difficulties.

Not only was Raducanu able to come through qualifying without dropping a set, she also failed to drop a set in seven main-draw matches on her way to the US Open title.

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The victory propelled her to a new career-high ranking of world No.23, and she has since managed to climb another place without even playing.

In the latest rankings, which are released every Monday, it has been confirmed that Raducanu has risen to No.22 in the world.

Karolina Muchova, who had been ranked 22nd in last week’s update, dropped three places to world No 25, giving Raducanu a boost up the rankings.

The Czech star reached the round of 16 at last year’s US Open, losing to eventual ruller-up Victoria Azarenka, but fell to Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round this year.

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Raducanu’s rapid rise up the rankings means that she will no longer need to enter qualifying or receive a wild card to enter even the highest level of pro tournaments, and is in a prime position to be seeded at future Grand Slams.

While the US Open champion is ranked high enough to play any tournament of her choosing, the current system for determining entry lists means she will still need wild cards for another few weeks.

The WTA 1000 in Indian Wells begins next month, with the big tournament in the Californian desert cancelled in 2020 and postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic.

The cut-off date for the entry list was six weeks prior to the start of the event often branded the ‘fifth Slam’, meaning players taking part were determined before the British teenager won the US Open and shot up the rankings.

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Raducanu has admitted she isn’t sure where she will be playing next, but while still in New York following her victory she told WTA Insider she may go to Indian Wells.

She would need to receive a wild card to gain a spot in the 1000-point event, but after her exploits at the US Open it’s highly unlikely she will be denied one if she decides to play.

“Schedule-wise, I’m not sure. Maybe Indian Wells, I don’t know. I’m going back to London before my next tournament for sure,” she said, before returning to her home to a Bromley cul-de-sac.

The new world No 22 is already back in training, so could be eyeing a spot in the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ when it begins on October 7.
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