ITF chief hopes Emma Raducanu will boost British tennis the same way Venus and Serena Williams transformed US tennis
Venus and Serena Williams were “game-changing for the sport” in the United States and there is no reason why Emma Raducanu can’t transform British tennis in a similar way, according to International Tennis Federation President David Haggerty.
Raducanu made the sporting world sit up and take note of her talent in September when she became the first qualifier – man or woman – to win a Grand Slam after winning 10 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows to complete a fairytale run at the US Open.
We are taking her HOMEEE❤️🇬🇧🏆 pic.twitter.com/L6P52UFpAm
— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) September 12, 2021
Her success has already given British tennis a boost and Haggerty believes the 18-year-old can have a similar impact on the sport in Great Britain the way the Williams sisters uplifted tennis in the United States.
In an interview with Telegraph Sport he said: “As a proud American, I saw first-hand what Serena and Venus Williams’ successes at the US Open had on tennis in the States. They were game-changing for the sport.
“If Raducanu can build on the fantastic start to her tennis journey, why can’t her impact at Wimbledon and for Great Britain be similar?”
Rankings boost for Emma Raducanu despite disappointing defeat in Romania
Haggerty, though, feels Raducanu will hit new heights if she follows in Andy Murray’s footsteps by winning her home major, Wimbledon.
He added: “As you saw with Andy Murray’s success at Wimbledon, performing in your own back yard brings heightened pressures and scrutiny. But it can also bring huge rewards – for the sport in the country and for the individual.
“I think it’s really important for British tennis to have its star players perform at Wimbeldon.”
Latest
-
NewsKyle Edmund has US Open in his sights after Wimbledon return
The former world number 14 and gram slam semi-finalist has been sidelined for 20 months and undergone three knee operations.
-
WimbledonSimona Halep continues push to regain Wimbledon title
The 2019 champion took her SW19 winning streak to 11 matches by beating fourth seed Paula Badosa in under an hour.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios reflects: My agent had to come get me out of a pub
Nick Kyrgios is enjoying getting under people’s skin during his Wimbledon run.
-
Tennis NewsRafael Nadal vs Roger Federer the most interesting rival according to former champion
“I think both of them have taken the game to a different level,” Wilander said.
-
WimbledonInjury cloud hangs over Nick Kyrgios despite gaining Wimbledon quarter-finals
Kyrgios kept his focus on tennis in a 4-6 6-4 7-6 (2) 3-6 6-2 victory.
-
Tennis NewsJohn McEnroe: The wit and wisdom of the outspoken former World No 1
John McEnroe has always had plenty to say.
-
Wimbledon‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ t-shirts see activists ‘harassed’ by security
The group said they had come to Wimbledon to “raise a bit of awareness” after the conversation around the Chinese tennis player had “died down”.
-
WimbledonWimbledon CEO stands by decision to ban Russia and Belarusia players, confirms appeal against WTA fine
AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton said the organisation “deeply disappointed” by reaction to bans.
-
WimbledonWimbledon chief defends scheduling after criticism following Novak Djokovic’s late night
Novak Djokovic’s match against Tim van Rijthoven finished just before 11pm.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios’ dad unimpressed by Wimbledon double standards while his brother defends ‘trash talk’
Nick Kyrgios “trash talk” defended by his brother.