Britain’s 18-year-old Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to capture a Grand Slam title by defeating Canada’s 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez on Saturday in the US Open women’s final.
Raducanu, ranked 150th beat 73rd-ranked left-hander Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to take the $2.5 million (2.1 million euro) top prize.
Raducanu is the youngest US Open champion since Williams in 1999 and the first US Open women’s champion not to drop a set since Williams in 2014. She has had the fewest Slam starts of any women’s Slam winner, reaching the fourth round in July at Wimbledon in her only prior Slam appearance.
Not since Virginia Wade in 1977 at Wimbledon had a British woman taken a Slam singles title, with Raducanu the first Briton to claim the US Open crown since Wade in 1968.
Queen Elizabeth II was among the first to pay tribute to Raducanu’s remarkable win. Here’s a look at some reactions from the tennis world:
SEALED WITH AN ACE 💫
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
The moment @EmmaRaducanu clinched the 2021 #USOpen women's singles title 👇 pic.twitter.com/5jeMlvDUb7
Playing in just her 2nd main draw at a major, Emma Raducanu is the first woman in the Open Era to win her 1st Slam in fewer than 4 major appearances.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 11, 2021
2 - Raducanu (2021 US Open)
4 - Seles (1990 Roland Garros)
4 - Andreescu (2019 US Open)#USOpen
A star is born- Emma Raducanu makes history - never has a qualifier won a major- men or women- and she is just getting started. And will never have to qualify again:)
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 11, 2021
Leylah Fernandez will be back -both are champions but Emma has the trophy- well done!!!#USOpen
What a terrific display of competition & maturity from two exceptional players.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 11, 2021
It is wonderful to see this generation living our dream.
I can’t remember a #USOpen with better crowd support. Thank you, NY, the greatest fans in the world.
And congratulations, Emma! pic.twitter.com/fQcOMkV3wk
Well done Emma Raducanu, the first of many duels with Leylah Fernandez. I've no doubt many more majors await for both of you. Another historic moment at the #USOpen - congratulations🚀
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 11, 2021
These two young women are a gift to tennis. An absolute gift.
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 11, 2021
Extraordinary @EmmaRaducanu 👏
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) September 11, 2021
Congratulations to the new @usopen champion @EmmaRaducanu and runner-up @leylahfernandez for this fantastic tournament and for giving us high-level of tennis and contagious smiles 🇬🇧🇨🇦🙌👏🎾 #USOpen pic.twitter.com/n5DEf773is
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 11, 2021
EMMA RADUCANU BROUGHT IT HOMEEE 🇬🇧🏆#USOpen
— Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) September 11, 2021
Emma Raducanu, an 18-year-old from Britain, becomes the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title. Takes the US Open with an ace to close out her 6-4 6-3 victory over Leylah Fernandez of Canada. Did not drop a set in 10 matches. One of the great tennis stories#getty pic.twitter.com/ytgG1Zf8W9
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 11, 2021
10 matches. @EmmaRaducanu
— Anand Datla (@SportASmile) September 11, 2021
Closest set was 7-5 in R2 Q; Main Draw 6-4
Games lost
Q 3, 8, 5
R1 5
R2 6
R3 1
R4 3
QF 7
SF 5
F 7
Played her first tour level match at Nottingham, just three months ago#USOpen #EmmaRaducanu pic.twitter.com/yTz0c8H9cO
🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu's 20 sets in New York
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
6-1, 6-2
6-3, 7-5
6-1, 6-4
6-2, 6-3
6-2, 6-4
6-0, 6-1
6-2, 6-1
6-3, 6-4
6-1, 6-4
6-4, 6-3
Emma Raducanu has won the US Open. Things she hasn't done as a professional:
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) September 11, 2021
- Won a WTA tour match
- Played a tour level three set match(!!)
- Played on clay
- Directly entered a slam main draw
- Played five tour level events
One of the craziest breakout runs ever.
To think that Emma Raducanu is yet to play a three set match on tour level!!! #USOpen
— Krithika (@krithika0808) September 11, 2021
The Queen has sent a message to @EmmaRaducanu to congratulate her on the “remarkable achievement” of winning the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/2noGHRm7DZ
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) September 11, 2021
Huge congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on your stunning performances and historic Grand Slam victory! Incredible –we are all so proud of you. @LeylahFernandez well done on your amazing achievements at this year’s #USOpen, it’s been a pleasure to watch. C
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) September 11, 2021
Her biggest title prior to today was a 25K in Pune. She's never won a match on the main WTA Tour. Not a title. A match. It really is insane.
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) September 11, 2021
That is one of the greatest moments in British sport history. A mindboggling achievement, in a mesmerically brilliant match by both players.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) September 11, 2021
Timestamp @Louisa_Chirico pic.twitter.com/0dtZJD5jCD
— Kristie Ahn (@kristieahn) September 11, 2021
Dear Emma and Leylah,
— Caroline Cameron (@SNCaroline) September 11, 2021
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Signed,
All tennis fans
Congratulations on becoming the #USOpen champion, @EmmaRaducanu! 🏆
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021
The Reds were right behind you 🙌🎾#MUFC | @LukeShaw23 pic.twitter.com/UWMPK2ssiS
Great run by @leylahfernandez
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) September 11, 2021
Very inspiring 🇨🇦
Hell of a job 20 sets in a row for @EmmaRaducanu
This set has been *so* good.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 11, 2021
I keep thinking, Raducanu and Fernandez could have drawn each other in the first round and played on like Court 6 and very few people would have even flagged it as one of the marquee first round matches.
What an incredible #USOpen it's been.
THEY KNEW 😂 https://t.co/x16yK6aE2d
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
Just Em-azing!
— Gemma Stevenson (@gstevensonsport) September 11, 2021
Emma Raducanu - what a match and what a champion!
I hope there’s young girls out there realising that sport can be a place for them after watching this final and the athleticism, power and exquisite tennis that was on display from both women #USOpen
