Tennis star Emma Raducanu wins Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year
Emma Raducanu has been named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year following her historic triumph at the 2021 US Open.
The 19-year-old rose to worldwide prominence with her sensational September triumph as she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title – and the first British woman to win one since Virginia Wade in 1977.
It was just her second Grand Slam appearance following her debut at Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round – becoming the youngest British woman to progress to the last 16 in the Open era.
Emma Raducanu ended Britain’s 44-year wait for a women’s Grand Slam singles champion as she beat Leylah Fernandez to win the US Open in the most thrilling style.
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The 18-year-old ended her scarcely believable run in New York with a 6-4 6-3 win over her 19-year-old Canadian opponent in a high-quality final.
She took home a whooping £1.8m in prize money rising to 23 in the world rankings and will becoming the British number one.
Raducanu, who is currently 19th in the WTA world rankings, won the award ahead of fellow nominees Emily Campbell (weightlifting), Kate French (modern pentathlon), Laura Kenny (cycling), Lauren Price (boxing), and Sarah Storey (cycling).
Bethany Shriever, 21, who crowdfunded in order to make it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and won a gold medal for Great Britain in the BMX racing final, scooped Young Sportswoman of the Year.
