18-year-old Emma Radukanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title and the first British woman to hoist a major trophy since Virginia Wade’s victory at Wimbledon in 1977.
Britain’s Emma Radukanu completed her Grand Slam story by defeating Canadian Leyla Fernandez 6-4 6-3 in a teen fight to become US Open champion on September 11.
The 18-year-old became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title and the first British woman to hoist a major trophy since Virginia Wade’s victory at Wimbledon in 1977.
The first Grand Slam final – male or female – contested by two unseeded players was an impossible matchup no one could have predicted, with 150th-placed qualifier Radukanu and little-known Fernandez placed 73rd. .
Even more remarkable was that Radukanu needed 10 matches to reach the title, including three wins in qualifying, and did so without dropping a single set along the way.
Rani congratulates Radukanu
Queen Elizabeth II congratulates Emma Radukanu on her US Open women’s title.
The British monarch wrote in a message that the 18-year-old’s victory was a “remarkable achievement at such a young age”, adding that there is no doubt that the performances of Radukanu and 19-year-old Leyla Fernandez will “inspire the next generation of tennis players.” “
Radukanu was born in Canada and her family moved to England when she was 2 years old.
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