Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Emma Raducanu

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Emma Raducanu made an impact.

Emma Raducanu is a British professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 10. She is most notable for winning the 2021 US Open, becoming the first British woman to win a singles major since Virginia Wade's victory at Wimbledon in 1977. Her unexpected victory at the US Open marked a significant moment in British tennis history, propelling her to international fame.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1968: Virginia Wade at the US Open Final

In 1968, Virginia Wade reached the US Open final before Raducanu became the first British woman to reach the US Open final since her.

1977: Virginia Wade wins Wimbledon Championships

In 1977, Virginia Wade won Wimbledon Championships before Emma Raducanu became the first British woman to win a singles major since her.

1999: All-Teenage Women's Singles Final

In 1999, there was an all-teenage women's singles final before Emma Raducanu defeated Leylah Fernandez in two sets, winning with a 109-mph ace, in what was the first all-teenage women's singles final since the 1999 US Open.

2002: Elena Baltacha reaches Wimbledon third round

In 2002, Elena Baltacha reached the Wimbledon third round, before Emma Raducanu became the youngest British woman to reach the Wimbledon third round since her.

2014: Serena Williams at the US Open

In 2014, Serena Williams achieved a feat at the US Open before Emma Raducanu won the title without dropping a set, the first woman to do so at the US Open since Williams in 2014.

2017: Junior Success in 2017

In 2017, Emma Raducanu continued her junior success with two titles in February at the Yonex ITF Hamburg and ITF Oslo Open Grade-4 events.

2017: Sloane Stephens' US Open Champion

In 2017, Sloane Stephens was the US Open champion, before Emma Raducanu defeated her at the Australian Open on January 2022.

January 2018: Chandigarh Lawn Tennis ITF tournament win

In January 2018, Emma Raducanu won the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis girls' ITF tournament, defeating Diana Khodan in the final held at the Lawn Tennis Association Stadium.

2018: ITF Women's Circuit Debut and First Title

In 2018, Emma Raducanu debuted on the ITF Women's Circuit and secured her first title in May at the $15k event in Tiberias, later winning a second $15k title in October at the ITF Antalya.

2018: Turning Professional in 2018

In 2018, Emma Raducanu turned professional, alternating between junior and professional tournaments.

2019: Bianca Andreescu's US Open champion

In 2019, Bianca Andreescu was the US Open champion, before Emma Raducanu had a first round retirement at the Italian Open against her after carrying a back injury into the match.

2019: Alternating between junior and professional tournaments

In 2019, Emma Raducanu alternated between junior and professional tournaments after she turned professional in 2018.

2019: 2019 Season Highlights

In 2019, Emma Raducanu competed in Maharashtra, India, winning a $25k event in Pune in December. She was also a hitting partner for the British team in the Fed Cup.

December 2020: LTA British Tour Masters Title

In December 2020, Emma Raducanu won the Lawn Tennis Association LTA British Tour Masters title.

2020: Selection for the British Team

In 2020, Emma Raducanu was selected to play for the British team in the Fed Cup qualifying after Johanna Konta withdrew. She was described as "the British player with the most potential of her generation".

April 2021: Training with Nigel Sears

In April 2021, Emma Raducanu began training with coach Nigel Sears.

September 2021: Ambassador for Tiffany & Co.

In September 2021, Emma Raducanu became an ambassador for the jewellery brand Tiffany & Co.

September 2021: Out of the Top 100

In September 2021, Emma Raducanu was at the top 100 before she fell out of the top 100 at the conclusion of the clay-court season.

October 2021: Ambassador for Dior

In October 2021, Emma Raducanu became an ambassador for Dior.

October 2021: Coaching Change and Indian Wells Open

In October 2021, Emma Raducanu chose not to extend her coaching arrangement with Richardson after her US Open victory and participated in the Indian Wells Open, where she lost her first match. She then withdrew from the Kremlin Cup.

November 2021: Sports Direct Christmas Advertisement

In November 2021, Emma Raducanu starred alongside other British sportspeople and celebrities in a Christmas advertisement for sporting goods retailer Sports Direct.

December 2021: Brand Partnerships with British Airways and Evian

In December 2021, Emma Raducanu signed partnership deals with British Airways and Evian bottled water.

2021: Camila Giorgi won Canadian Open

In 2021, Camila Giorgi won the Canadian Open, before Emma Raducanu was defeated by her at the same tournament in August 2022.

2021: First WTA Tour Victory and Coaching Change

In 2021, Emma Raducanu earned her first WTA Tour victory at the Transylvania Open and later hired Torben Beltz as her permanent coach.

2021: 2021 Wimbledon and US Open achievements

In 2021, Emma Raducanu reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win the US Open without dropping a set.

2021: US Open Champion

In 2021, Raducanu won the US Open, becoming the first British woman to win a singles major since 1977.

January 2022: Australian Open Debut

In January 2022, Emma Raducanu made her Australian Open debut, defeating Sloane Stephens in the first round but losing to Danka Kovinić in the second round due to a blister.

February 2022: Career-High Singles Ranking and Injury

In February 2022, Emma Raducanu reached a new career-high singles ranking of 12 and retired in her first-round match at the Abierto Zapopan due to an injury, later withdrawing from the Monterrey Open.

March 2022: Brand Ambassador Roles with Vodafone and Porsche

In March 2022, Emma Raducanu became an ambassador for British telecommunications firm Vodafone and German automobile manufacturer Porsche.

June 2022: Partnership with HSBC

In June 2022, Emma Raducanu signed a four-year deal with British multinational bank HSBC.

July 2022: Top 10 Ranking

On 11 July 2022, Emma Raducanu reached the top 10 in the rankings.

September 2022: Return to Top 50 Ranking

As a result of her Miami Open run, Emma Raducanu returned to the world's top-50 for the first time since September 2022, rising 12 places to No.48 on 31st March.

2022: 2022 US Open Exit

In 2022, Emma Raducanu lost her opening match at the US Open as the defending champion, falling outside the top 80 in the rankings. She also experienced a second-round loss at the Slovenia Open, requiring a medical timeout.

2022: US Open Series and Doubles Debut

In August 2022, Emma Raducanu entered the Washington Open, reaching the quarterfinals, and made her professional doubles debut. She also began working with coach Dmitry Tursunov on a trial basis.

June 2023: Partnership with AirWayz

In June 2023, Emma Raducanu partnered with American digital media platform AirWayz, offering online tennis coaching for $2000 per session, with proceeds benefiting the LTA's Youth Coaching Programme.

November 2023: Withdrawal from Macau Exhibition Match

In November 2023, Emma Raducanu withdrew from a December exhibition match in Macau due to ongoing recovery from hand and foot surgeries, causing her world ranking to fall to No. 289. Her rehabilitation involved working with different tennis balls to regain her form, while she lacked a dedicated coach or team.

December 2023: Return to Tour Announced

In December 2023, it was announced that Emma Raducanu would return to the tour in January 2024.

January 2024: Auckland Open Participation

In January 2024, Emma Raducanu accepted a wildcard into the Auckland Open, where she lost in the second round to Elina Svitolina.

June 2024: Grass Court Season and Wimbledon Performance

In June 2024, Emma Raducanu started her grass-court season at the Nottingham Open, reaching the semifinals. She continued at the Eastbourne International, winning against Jessica Pegula but losing to Daria Kasatkina. At Wimbledon, Raducanu reached the fourth round, defeating Maria Sakkari, before losing to Lulu Sun.