Royal family lead tribute to Emma Raducanu as she wins US Open

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The Queen, Kate Middleton and Prince William have led the congratulation messages as Emma Raducanu won her first ever Grand Slam during the US Open tonight.  

The Queen, 95, addressed a warm letter of congratulations to Emma and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge praised the 18-year-old qualifier from Bromley for her performance and her historic victory.  

Emma took on her 19-year-old opponent Leylah Fernandez and won her first Grand Slam final after a fairytale string of victories saw her reach the top of the competition.    

The debutant is the first qualifier ever to reach the final in New York, having played ten matches without dropping a set on her blazing journey to worldwide stardom. 

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour Leader Keir Starmer and the England Football team have rushed to send their congratulations to Emma as well.  

Throughout the evening, celebrities cheered British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu to victory at the US open. 

The Queen shared a letter of congratulations to mark Emma’s win.

‘It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication,’ she wrote. 

‘I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players.

‘I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters,’ the Monarch wrote.   

According to the Sunday Times’ royal editor Roya Nikkhah, the Queen’s letter was personally delivered to Emma following her win. 

‘Huge congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on your stunning performances and historic Grand Slam victory! Incredible –we are all so proud of you,’ the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote.  

They also congratulated Emma’s rival Leylah Fernandez for her performance during the match.  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Raducanu’s ‘extraordinary poise and guts,’ he wrote.

‘What a sensational match! Huge congratulations to @EmmaRaducanu. You showed extraordinary skill, poise and guts and we are all hugely proud of you,’ he said. 

Author Stephen Fry wrote: ‘What a glorious day for two remarkable young women. Yes, it may be ‘only’ sport, but in that ‘only’ there can be found so much of human joy, despair, glory, disappointment, wonder and hope. A brief flicker of light in a dark world.

‘Spoiler Alert: Sports Personality of the Year, Emma Raducanu,’ comedian Jimmy Carr wrote. 

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: ‘Just awesome: Emma Radacanu, what a fantastic achievement.’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘What a winner. A true British hero. Congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on an inspirational win. From qualifier to champion without dropping a set. A phenomenal achievement.’

TV presenter Piers Morgan called Raducanu a ‘champion’ and said her victory was ‘one of the greatest achievements in British sporting history’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: ‘What a sensational match! Huge congratulations to @EmmaRaducanu You showed extraordinary skill, poise and guts and we are all hugely proud of you.’

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called Raducanu ‘a star, a role model and a champion’.

Emma Raducanu’s home tennis club erupted in cheers and applause as she won the US Open in straight sets.

Her former coach and former strength and conditioning trainer were both very emotional when she won, holding back tears.

Both described the win as ‘unbelievable’ but said they never doubted her for a second. 

The Twitter account for England’s national football teams described the feat as an ‘incredible achievement’ and congratulated Raducanu.

Three Lions and Liverpool player Jordan Henderson also called the victory ‘incredible’ online.

Pop group the Spice Girls congratulated Raducanu and her opponent,  Leylah Fernandez, for achieving ‘Girl Power right there.’

Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said Raducanu’s multicultural background should serve as a reminder that ‘being British can comprise a real mix.’

‘It’s why we must be an open and welcoming country,’ Dr Allin-Khan added on Twitter.

Piers Morgan was among the celebrities who tuned in tonight and cheered on as Emma battled it out on the court. 

‘Reminder: @emmaRaducanu hasn’t lost a single set in the entire tournament. Insane,’ he wrote. 

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp wrote on Twitter:  ‘Turn to @channel4 for something to inspire your teenagers.’

TV presenter Nick Knowles wrote: ‘If you’re not watching in the US Tennis Open final (unexpectedly live on Ch4 via Prime) you’re missing a special sporting moment. 

‘Whatever happens in the next couple of hours a star has been born Hoping you execute your game as you wish to Emma We’re already proud,’ he added.    

Johanna Konta, 30, who had to withdraw from Wimbledon this year when one of her team members tested positive to Covid-19, cheered both Emma and her opponent, celebrating the promising future of tennis. 

‘It’s really exciting to see the next generation coming through at the this year. Good luck @EmmaRaducanu and @leylahfernandez,’ she wrote.  

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock also wrote a message of encouragement on Twitter, saying: ‘Best of luck to @EmmaRaducanu tonight in the US Open final. Whatever the end result, you have done yourself & the country proud.’

Army veteran and Strictly Come Dancing alum JJ Chalmers also cheered Emma on on Twitter today and said the match would be a ‘piece of history,’ 

‘Tonight isn’t just going to be a belter of a match, it’s going to be a piece of history, and now not only can we freely hear it on @5livesport but we will also be able to see it on @channel4 #PublicService Broadcast at it’s very best on court from 2100. Good luck #EmmaRaducanu,’ he said.

Comedian Rob Beckett said: ‘F****** come on @Emmaraducanu’ as he watched the match unfold . 

The Mayor of London also had words of supports for Emma ahead of the final. 

‘Wishing @EmmaRaducanu the very best of luck in the #USOpenFinal this evening. We couldn’t be prouder of you.’

And the Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer wrote: Every best wish to @EmmaRaducanu ahead of tonight’s #USOpen final. You’ve already made history as the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final.

‘I could not be happier for you and all those who have supported you along the way. You have made us all so proud. Good luck,’ he added.  

ITV weather man Alex Beresford wrote: ‘This is a GAME! Come on @EmmaRaducanu.’

Andy Murray’s mother Judy Murray praised Channel 4 for giving women’s sports ‘visibility’ and called both Raducanu and Fernandez ‘teen sensations.’ 

Meanwhile SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote: ‘Best of luck @EmmaRaducanu.’

London Olympics’ Middleweight Division bronze winner Anthony Ogogo said: ‘Come on girl.’

Author Jason Vale, also known as the Juice Master said:’ We are all behind you but above all enjoy the moment and drink it in. 

Actress and presenter Natalie Anderson took in the moment as the final started: ‘Eeeeek! Good luck @EmmaRaducanu.’ 

Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist Damien O’Brien said: ‘Emma Raducanu is incredible !! #USOpen

GB News presenter Alastair Stewart said: ‘ I’ve cracked it! @EmmaRaducanu plays chess, disguised as tennis.’

Even retailer John Lewis and Chrystal Palace FC were among those wishing Emma luck. 

‘Anyone else nervous?! We’re all behind you Emma Raducanu. Imagine the racket we’ll make if you win,’ they wrote. 

Meanwhile, the football club wrote: ‘From everyone at your local team, we’re right behind you. Bring it home tonight.

And singer Miles Kanes wrote: ‘Come on, Emma Raducanu! You’ve got this, buzzing for this final.

Chris Wood, the drummer of pop band Bastille was also among the people watching. 

Professional golfer Ian Poulter tweeted: ‘What a game of Tennis this is.. Come on.’

‘Found my seat on the bandwagon. Come on @EmmaRaducanu,’ he said. 

Emma will aim to write the happiest of endings to her New York fairy tale when she takes on Leylah Fernandez in the final of the US Open on Saturday evening.

‘Let’s go Emma Raducanu! The nation is behind you,’ wrote author and Celebrity MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy. 

Ackley Bridge actor Adil Ray OBE said: ‘Well @emmaRaducanu the BRAVEST BRITON in Britain right now. Come on.’ 

Former Team GB rower Steve Redgrave wrote: ‘Wishing Emma all the best this evening, it’s promising to be an extraordinary final, looking forward to watching this one.’ 

Lord Ashcroft was among the people watching Emma in the stadium. He said: ‘Getting seated for the US Open Women’s Final between ⁦ @emmaraducanu and @leylahfernandez… Emma will be a finalist in many more Grand Slams in her career…I’m just happy I’m here at her first.’

Winter Olympian and Alpine Sky racer Chemmy Alcott wrote: ‘So tense. So epic. We are all behind you @emmaraducanu.’

England’s cricket team captain Heather Knight saidL ‘What a game this has been already! Come on @EmmaRaducanu. 

BBC Breakfast presenter Holly Hamilton shared an excited baby gif as the tennis sensation won her first set.  

Not since Virginia Wade lifted her most famous title at Wimbledon in 1977 had a British woman even reached a grand slam singles final until now.

That the player to achieve the feat is an 18-year-old taking her first real steps in the professional game makes this one of the most extraordinary stories in all sport. 

On the line is a prize cheque for £1.8million – more than eight times Raducanu’s current career earnings – as well as 2,000 ranking points, which would move the teenager up from her current standing of 150 to 23.

Even defeat would see Raducanu climb to 32nd in the rankings, putting her in contention to be seeded for her debut at the Australian Open in January.

Fernandez has had a similarly seismic impact at Flushing Meadows, with her incredible run including victories over defending champion Naomi Osaka, another former winner in Angelique Kerber, fifth seed Elina Svitolina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

The Canadian is just two months older than Raducanu and the pair have known each other since they competed at under-12 level.

‘We first encountered each other because I was born in Toronto and she was Canadian, so we kind of made a little relationship back then,’ said Raducanu, who won their only previous meeting in the girls’ singles at Wimbledon three years ago.

‘Obviously since then we’ve both come very far in our games and as people. I’m sure it’s going to be extremely different to when we last encountered each other. But we’re both playing good tennis so it will be a good match.’

The pair share an immigrant background. Raducanu, who moved to the UK when she was two, has a Romanian father and Chinese mother while Fernandez has Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Filipino heritage.  

The Canadian is coached by her father Jorge, who believes the final is a significant moment for the women’s game.

The former footballer said: ‘I see they’re both bringing a type of game that is not common right now on the circuit.

‘I see that they bring a flair that is very unique for them. I’m glad that they’re touching the Asian community. I think that’s a huge opportunity in the women’s game.

‘I think it’s just positive for the game. Obviously I want Leylah to win. That goes without saying. But I just think that the match-up and what we’re seeing, those two ladies are touching a lot of young girls.

‘I’m getting messages about, “Please pass this to Leylah”, little girls saying, “You’re making us believe”. This can only be good for the tennis game and the WTA altogether.’