Emma Raducanu secured her place in tennis history at the 2021 US Open, becoming the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a singles major championship. Achieving this feat without dropping a single set, she reached the title match and defeated Leylah Fernandez to claim a trophy that marked a significant milestone for British women’s tennis.
Early Development and Education
Born in Toronto on 13 November 2002 to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother, Raducanu moved to England at age two and was raised in Bromley. She balanced her early athletic training in tennis, which began at age five, with a diverse range of activities including skiing, karting, and ballet. She attended Newstead Wood School, a selective grammar school in Orpington, where she successfully completed her A-Levels in mathematics and economics while concurrently pursuing a professional sports trajectory.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Junior Career and Professional Transition
Raducanu debuted on the ITF Junior Circuit in Liverpool at age 13, shortly after becoming eligible, and secured a tournament victory eight days later. Her junior tenure included titles in Hamburg, Oslo, and Chandigarh. By 2018, she transitioned to the professional circuit, winning 15k events in Tiberias and Antalya. By 2020, she had achieved success on the LTA British Tour, positioning herself for higher-level competition despite pandemic-related disruptions to the global tennis calendar.
The 2021 Major Breakthrough
In 2021, Raducanu moved into the global spotlight during her main-draw debut at the Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the fourth round before withdrawing. Following this, she entered the US Open as a qualifier. Throughout the tournament, she defeated players including Shelby Rogers, Belinda Bencic, and Maria Sakkari. Her straight-sets victory against Leylah Fernandez in the final established her as a major force, leading to a career-high ranking of world No. 10 by July 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 November 2002, Toronto
- Citizenship: United Kingdom, Canada
- Education: Newstead Wood School
- 2021 US Open Title: Won without dropping a set
- Career-high ranking: World No. 10 (July 2022)
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Romanian
- 2021 BBC Sports Personality of the Year: Winner
- 2022 Honour: Member of the Order of the British Empire
Questions readers ask
What record did Raducanu set at the 2021 US Open?
She became the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a singles major title.
Which languages does Emma Raducanu speak?
She is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Romanian.
What is her highest singles ranking to date?
She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 10 in July 2022.
Achievements
- Educated at Newstead Wood School
- Worked as tennis player
