Emma Raducanu is an inspiration to all young British players

US Open

James Richardson
July 13, 2022

Katie Swan says that Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph has been an inspiration to all young British players.

After Wimbledon, Swan and Raducanu are separated by 200 places on the rankings.

Raducanu was the first British women to win a Grand Slam in 44 years and Swan says that has given a promising group of young players hope of reaching the very top of the game.

“What Emma achieved last year was incredible. The fact that she was able to do that, it really inspired a lot of us and made us believe that something like that was possible,” Swan told BBC Radio Bristol.

Swan says that the grass court season brings British players together and boosts their morale for the rest of the season.

“The grass season always seems to be a time where everyone always enjoys themselves, likes playing in front of a home crowd and kind of all spurring each other on.

“We all train together as well so if you see one of your mates that you train with start doing well in an event you start to believe if they’re doing it why can’t I do that as well. It’s like a snowball effect.”

Swan hopes to represent Great Britain in the revamped Billie Jean King Cup finals alongside Raducanu.

She was part of the British team that lost to the Czech Republic in the qualifying round, but doesn’t take her selection for granted.

“I hope to be in the team but I also know that I have work to do if i want to be there playing in that team,” Swan continued.

“I feel like there’s a lot of depth right now for girls in British tennis – whoever ends up being in the team it will be a great experience to play at home in that kind of event.”

The Billie Jean King Cup finals come very late in the season, with Glasgow set to host the event in November.

Before that Swan will look to qualify for the US Open while Raducanu is guaranteed her spot in the main draw and will start her build-up in Washington.

Emma Raducanu Katie Swan