If this had been a movie, it would have been criticized as implausible.ByKamakshi Tandon Published Dec 23, 2021 copy_link
If this had been a movie, it would have been criticized as implausible. An 18-year-old Emma Raducanu, ranked No. 150 and competing in her first-ever US Open, plays 19-year-old No. 73 Leylah Fernandez in the finals and triumphs to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title.
Add on their international backgrounds, and it seemed designed for worldwide box office appeal—the Toronto-born Raducanu, of Romanian and Chinese origin, represents Great Britain, while Canada's Fernandez has parents hailing from Ecuador and the Philippines.
But this was no movie. It's what actually unfolded in New York, where the two teen queens become bigger and bigger sensations as they kept winning round upon round. By the time they both reached the final, it had almost taken on the level of a proceeding of state.
'I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players.' Read The Queen's message to @EmmaRaducanu in full: https://t.co/m5lxaH7kKi pic.twitter.com/aFSaCisDC0
We’ve got a Canadian in the #USOpen final! Caught the start of the match before heading to the debate and I just want to say congratulations, @leylahfernandez - and good luck in the final! 🇨🇦🎾 pic.twitter.com/NC2WUbAlbW
Well done @EmmaRaducanu for a brilliant win at the #USOpen. The whole country will be cheering you on in the final.
Raducanu's victory was perhaps even more improbable. Not only was she the first qualifier, man or woman, to ever win a Grand Slam, she had also played just three tour-level events in her career—and the first of those just two and a half months prior. And while Fernandez had the tougher road, defeating three Top 5 players and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in tight three-setters, Raducanu cruised through a field that included two Top 20 players, not dropping a set on her way to the title.
"I know on this day it's especially hard for New York and everyone around the United States. I just want to say that I hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the last 20 years." Leylah Annie Fernandez's message to the New York crowd. pic.twitter.com/JBmM6qmO1w
The women's final was picked up by British network television, with 9.2 million tuning into Channel 4 to watch the first British woman to capture a Grand Slam since 1977.
Winning a major is usually a player's big moment in the spotlight, but Raducanu seemed to only get bigger from there—an appearance at the Met Gala, movie premiere and more than $5 million in fashion sponsorships followed in the next few weeks. There was talk that she would soon move in front of Naomi Osaka to become highest-paid female athlete in the world.
U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu attended the world premiere of the new James Bond film in London pic.twitter.com/AOKR8PeraV
It was all the more remarkable given the backstory behind it. Only weeks before, Raducanu had been the center of attention in very different circumstances when she retired from her fourth-round match at Wimbledon, where she was experiencing breathing problems.
McEnroe told the truth. Ms Raducuna’s a talented player but couldn’t handle the pressure & quit when she was losing badly. Not ‘brave’, just a shame. If I were her, I’d tell my fans to stop abusing McEnroe, & seek his advice on how to toughen up & become a champion like he was. https://t.co/zS06yevfav
From Wimbledon choker to US Open champion in 3 months.... never seen a more brilliant illustration of mental strength & resilience than @EmmaRaducanu's win. That's what elite sport is all about - facing up to loss/adversity & going again with no whining & steely determination. 👊 pic.twitter.com/pQwda7omCR
Though few knew exactly what had happened, it didn't stop another huge public debate about athletes and pressure, including questions about whether Raducanu had the mental toughness to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
During the US Open, she answered them.