Incredible footage of US Open champ Emma Raducanu playing Indian Wells winner Paula Badosa

They were two stars destined to reach the top of the game in double-quick time, but that may not have been obvious as Emma Raducanu took on Paula Badosa at a Futures tournament in Bolton two years ago.
Raducanu’s stunning US Open win last month rocketed the British teenager to sporting superstardom, as she leapt up the tennis rankings in double quick time.
Now Badosa has confirmed she is a tennis superstar in her own right with her thrilling win against Victoria Azarenka in last Sunday’s BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells.
That win propelled 23-year-old Badosa to No 13 in the new WTA Rankings, with 18-year-old Raducanu currently sitting at No 24 after her second-round exit at Indian Wells.
W25 Bolton ITF, April 2019. Quarterfinals.
2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu vs 2021 Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa.
The margins in this sport are finer than many realise. #BNPPO21 (🎥 – myself) pic.twitter.com/UkMhqQKxfp
— Abigail Johnson (@abigailtennis) October 18, 2021
What this Twitter club journalist Abigail Johnson confirms is Raducanu and Badosa were playing an incredibly high level in the junior ranks, with this rivalry set to be continued in some of the game’s biggest events over the next decade.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios punished for spitting at fan in Wimbledon crowd
Bad boy Kyrgios handed yet another fine.
-
Wimbledon
Jack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.