Emma Raducanu ‘so grateful’ after smashing Serena Williams in Cincinnati

Emma Raducanu feels blessed to have played Serena Williams before the tennis legend finally hangs up her racket. 

The world number 13 drew 23-time Major champion Serena at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open to provide the blockbuster of the opening round. 

The match promised much but was ultimately a one-sided affair, with Raducanu clinching victory 6-4, 6-0 in barely an hour. 

“I’m so grateful for the experience to be able to play [Serena] and for our careers to have crossed over,” gushed Raducanu in her post-match interview. “Everything she has achieved is so inspirational and it was a true honour to share the court with her. 

“It feels pretty amazing to be honest,” Raducanu continued in her press conference after the win. “I can’t believe I just played Serena Williams. It’s something that I’m really fortunate to have been able to do.

“For our careers to have crossed when there’s such a big [age] gap and watching her growing up.”

Serena, 40, already had four Slam titles to her name before Raducanu, 19, was even born in November 2002. 

In the second round, Raducanu takes on another multi-Slam champion in world number 22 Victoria Azarenka after the Belarusian defeated Kaia Kanepi in her opener. 

Beyond Cincinnati, Raducanu will be defending champion at the US Open come the end of the month. 

Meanwhile, Serena will end her farewell tour with a 21st career appearance in New York at a Slam she has won six times in her historic career.  

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