Following the tradition of the ‘Got Next‘ series, every so often BSTN Chronicles likes to give props to young prodigies who excelled at their craft at a young age. This week, Emma Raducanu made headlines globally by not only winning the prestigious US Open tournament but also shattering as many records as she did ceilings.
Raducanu’s performance at the U.S. Open had already made history even before her win this weekend: she did not enter the tournament via a seeding list but by qualifying, and was the first qualifier ever – male or female – to reach, let alone win the final of a Grand Slam tournament.
In the first major final to feature two teenagers since for more than twenty years, the 18-year-old Brit defeated Canadian Leylah Fernandez (19) to become the first British female player to win a Grand Slam event in 44 years.
Raducanu produced numerous firsts over the weekend, racked up congratulatory messages from anyone from top level athletes to Queen Elisabeth II herself and casually increased her career earnings a casual eight-fold with the win. However, there is one thing that the young phenom did not do: Loose a set.
While her US Open adventure began with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Bibiane Schoofs in the first of three qualifying rounds, eighteen days, 10 matches, and one joyful trophy presentation later, Raducanu is still yet to drop a set.
