“Right now I’m just loving life.”

The Brit triumphed at the US Open over Canadian Leylah Fernandez (19), who was only two months older than her, 6:4,6:3. The day before Novak Djokovic's attempt to rewrite the tennis history books, Raducanu made history in women's tennis. And Great Britain is upside down after the title.

Even Queen Elizabeth commented on the first Grand Slam title by a British woman since Virginia Wade in 1977 (Wimbledon): “This is an impressive success at such a young age and a testament to hard work and commitment,” wrote the head of the British crown the immigrant daughter of a Romanian and a Chinese woman, born in Toronto, Canada, who has lived in London since she was two years old and competes under the British flag. “I have no doubt that her outstanding performance and that of her opponent Leylah Fernandez will inspire the next generation of tennis players.” Raducanu overwhelmed A true word from a royal mouth. Raducanu himself was completely overwhelmed. “It's an absolute dream,” said the happy new star, who has catapulted himself from 150th to 23rd in the WTA rankings. She is allowed to collect 2,5 million dollars (2,11 million euros) as wages. Although she literally marched through to the title, it wasn't as easy as it looked. "Even though I didn't give up a set on paper, I experienced a lot of resistance in every match." She played particularly well in this tournament when she was under pressure.

In the duel between two teenagers who hardly anyone knew outside the tennis world, Raducanu put in a somewhat more mature performance. She is the first player to win the title in only her second appearance at a major tournament. She reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon after only making her debut on the WTA tour in Nottingham in June. She was presented with the trophy on the pitch by Billie Jean King. The last time there were two teenagers in a Grand Slam final was in 1999, when Serena Williams won against Martina Hingis.

Emma Raducanu gave free rein to her emotions. © APA/getty/ELSA

In 2021, two young women with Asian roots born in Canada faced each other. And offered the spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium one of the better women's finals in recent memory, including some spectacular rallies. The (still) world rankings 150. Raducanu got the first break to make it 2-0, but immediately received the rebreak in the first set. Nevertheless, the first round after the second break went to Raducanu, who played a little more powerfully, making it 6:4 after 58 minutes.

In the second set, Fernandez managed the first break to make it 2-1, this time Raducanu equalized immediately and countered with another break to make it 4-2. Fernandez was able to fend off two match points and reduce it to 3:5 with a break chance of her own before Raducanu suffered a bleeding knee and got her nerves under control again after the treatment break. After 1:51 hours, the Brit took advantage of the third match point and completed the victory - her first major tournament success at the professional level - with an ace.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do tomorrow.” Emma to Raducanu

“I have no idea what I’m going to do tomorrow,” Raducanu said. “I just try to enjoy the moment. Right now I’m just loving life.” The loser gives you goosebumps Fernandez, who was defeated by her, also provided an emotional climax after the match, winning the hearts of New Yorkers. When she had given her answers, the 19-year-old took the microphone back again in the full Arthur Ashe Stadium and in front of millions of television viewers and paid tribute to the residents of the metropolis in memory of the events of 9/11 20 years ago. “I know this day was particularly hard for New York and everyone in the United States. I just want to say that I hope to be as strong and resilient as New York has been over the past 20 years.”

Fernandez wasn't even born at the time of the terrorist attacks, but her honest and emotional words touched fans, and she also received praise on social networks, including from former star Andy Roddick: "That Leylah demands the microphone back Talking about 9/11 was one of the most noble, empathetic and mature moments I've ever seen in an interview right after the match - and she's only 19. It blew me away." In any case, both teenagers have proven that they are not only have the maturity on the court to win a Grand Slam title.

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“Right now I’m just loving life.”

Ten wins en suite, 20-0 sets and not even a tiebreak played: Emma Raducanu's fairy tale had a happy ending on Saturday evening in Flushing Meadows. The 18-year-old was completely over the moon after her triumph.

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