Raducanu "doesn’t want to put trophy down" after stunning US Open final win

Emma Raducanu admitted she couldn't put her US Open trophy down following her remarkable success in New York.

The British teenager beat Canadian Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to secure a stunning first grand slam title, and a first for a British woman in 44 years.

The 18-year-old came through the qualifying rounds and surged through the field to create history.

"It means everything to hold this trophy and I don't want to let go right now!" she said while speaking to Tim Henman on court.

"Yesterday there were weird feelings I couldn't put my finger on, I think that's just normal, when I came out it was business as usual, one point at a time. I had to fight hard for that first set and keep myself ahead in the second.

"In the key moments, I came out with some clutch serves and was changing direction as early as possible."

Messages have poured in for the star following her historic win.

The Brit defeated Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 and will take home around £1.8m in prize money.

Many famous faces have paid tribute to the tennis player who became the first ever qualifier to win a grand slam.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: "Huge congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on your stunning performances and historic Grand Slam victory! Incredible –we are all so proud of you."

Manchester United Striker Marcus Rashford posted: "Look at that bounce back @EmmaRaducanu US Open champion, amazing. Congratulations."

While Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker wrote: "First time in my life I’ve ever tweeted whilst on air but my goodness what a performance, what a triumph, what an amazing young woman. Congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on a truly staggering achievement. US Open winner at 18 without losing a set. Extraordinarily fabulous."

Following her monumental win, an ecstatic Raducanu said: "First of all, I really want to congratulate Leylah and her team, she played some incredible tennis and has beaten some of the top players in the world. The level was extremely high and I hope we play each other in many more tournaments and hopefully finals.

"As for this three weeks in New York, I would say having such a supportive team, the LTA my agent, and everyone back home watching on TV, thank you so much for your support over the years."

She added: "Thank you for making me feel so at home from my first qualifying match, you have spurred me on in some difficult moments and I hope me and Leylah put on a good match today."

Unknown to many prior to her stellar performance at Wimbledon, Raducanu has gone some way to establishing herself as one of the brightest tennis stars on the planet.

Showing her composure time and time again, Raducanu fended off swathes of momentum from Fernandez throughout the first and second set and a nasty fall in the final game to secure a memorable victory.

Raducanu became the first British woman to win the US Open since Virginia Wade in 1977 and claimed her maiden grand slam without dropping a set.

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