Emma Raducanu has become the first female tennis player in more than 40 years to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year following what has been a breakthrough season.
The 19-year-old was shortlisted for the honor just six months after she made her WTA Tour debut at the Nottingham Open in June. She then reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and was runner-up at a WTA 125 event in Chicago. However, it was at the US Open where she rewrote the record books by becoming the first qualifier in history to ever win a major title. Raducanu didn’t drop a set in 10 matches played, scoring wins over Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari. In the final she defeated Leylah Fernandez.
“It’s such an honour just to be among these nominees. Congrats to you and all your achievements,” Raducanu told BBC Sport.
“I’m really happy with this, I’ve watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up and it’s an honour to be among those past winners.
“I’m happy for British tennis as well, and that we’ve managed to get this award…again!
“Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been insane. The energy this year playing at Wimbledon in front of my home crowd, that was something I’ve never felt before.”
Raducanu was shortlisted for the award along with five other athletes. The winner is determined by a public vote which took place on Sunday evening. The Brit came in top place ahead of diver champion Tom Daley and simmer Adam Peaty who both won gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
It is the seventh time a tennis player won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award since it’s debut back in 1954. Raducanu is the first female tennis player to win the title since Virginia Wade in 1977 which was the year she won Wimbledon.
Since the start of 2021 Raducanu has rocketed up the WTA rankings by more than 300 places from 354 to 19. She is the first British woman to win a major since Wade in 1977.
