Tennis

Happy 22nd Birthday To 2021 US Open Champion Emma Raducanu

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wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Sports Editor

Published13 Nov 2024

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Tennis player Emma Raducanu of Great Britain smiles as she walks off the court after a match at Wimbledon 2021 in London, England | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Emma Raducanu turns 22 on November 13, 2024.  The British tennis star has one career WTA Title, and it is a Grand Slam.  Raducanu’s 2021 US Open championship victory could be one of the most unexpected ever.

Since that monumental win, Raducanu has endured a difficult road. After becoming the first qualifier to win the US Open (without dropping a set in ten matches), she has dealt with extensive injuries including two hand surgeries that kept her out of action for much of the 2023 season.

At 22, Emma Raducanu is younger than most of the top WTA players except for Coco Gauff.

Raducanu celebrates her birthday with her British teammates at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament in Malaga, Spain.

She also got a birthday shoutout from Billie Jean King herself.

Will Emma Raducanu Win Another Grand Slam?

Many of her detractors think she was a one-hit wonder who enjoyed a magical run that she would never duplicate.

Women’s tennis has a depth of talent making it impossible to predict who will win upcoming Grand Slams.  Certainly, the top three players Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff are considered favorites, but Raducanu has the talent to make another run at a Grand Slam.

Aside from the 2021 US Open, her best result was at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2024 when she advanced to the fourth round.  Wimbledon has been the Grand Slam that has crowned a different champion nine of the past ten years.   Those winners include Serena Williams (two times), Petra Kvitova, Garbine Muguruza, Angie Kerber, Simona Halep, Ashleigh Barty, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova, and reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova.

As the hometown favorite, Raducanu’s best chance could be at Wimbledon.