Five years ago, Emma Raducanu completed one of the most extraordinary feats in tennis history.
The British star, then 18 years old, won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
The youngster, who defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final, became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a major title.
At which Grand Slam is Emma Raducanu most likely to win a second major title? Let us know why below 👇
Since then, the British star has struggled to perform at her best on the Grand Slam stage, failing to advance past the fourth round of any major tournament.
Of the four Grand Slams, Raducanu has struggled the most in New York.
Emma Raducanu has won two matches in New York since winning the 2021 US Open
Around 12 months on from her astonishing championship run in New York, Emma Raducanu returned to the bustling American city in search of more success.
Although not a favourite for the 2022 title, Raducanu was seeded 11th and expected to win at least a few matches at the event.
However, her campaign came to a grinding halt at the first hurdle.
Alize Cornet, who was unseeded, defeated Raducanu 6-3, 6-3 in the first round.
A year later, Raducanu did not participate in the US Open after undergoing multiple minor surgical procedures.
The Briton’s woes continued upon her return to the event in 2024.
Again she lost in the first round, this time to 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Last year, Raducanu won her first matches in New York since lifting the 2021 US Open trophy.
She defeated Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, losing only six games across the two matches.
Ninth seed Elena Rybakina then defeated Raducanu, 6-1, 6-2.
Emma Raducanu’s US Open campaigns
- 2021: CHAMPION – defeated Leylah Fernandez in the final, 6-4, 6-3
- 2022: First round – lost to Alize Cornet, 3-6, 3-6
- 2023: DNP
- 2024: First round – lost to Sofia Kenin 1-6, 6-3, 4-6
- 2025: Third round – lost to Elena Rybakina 1-6, 2-6
What did Emma Raducanu say after winning the 2021 US Open?
Raducanu’s 2021 triumph represented a truly historic moment.
Raducanu became the first British woman to win the title since Virginia Wade in 1968.
She also became the youngest British player to win a major title and the youngest woman to win any of the four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon 2004.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
“It’s an absolute dream,” Raducanu told reporters in New York during her post-match press conference.
“You just have visions of yourself going up to the box, hugging everyone, I mean, celebrating. That’s something that you always think of, you always work for.
“For that moment to actually happen, yeah, I’m just so grateful for my team that are here with me, the team that are back home, the LTA [Lawn Tennis Association, every single person who supported me along this journey.
