Emma Raducanu, the first British woman to make it to a Grand Slam final since 1977, is Emma Raducanu
Raducanu v Fernandez 2021 US Open women’s singles final Date : 11 September Time : 21:00 BST Venue : Flushing Meadows New York Coverage : Live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Live text commentary and match reports on the app and website.
Emma Raducanu wasn't even a teenager when she made a significant sacrifice.
After being encouraged by her father Ian to try a variety sports, including swimming, horse riding and ballet, she fell in love with motocross.
She said, "I raced go-karts for about a year when I was younger, around eighteen. Then at 10, I switched to motocross."
"I love motor sports, but it was too much for me as my tennis career progressed." It worked out quite well."
This is an understatement. The 18-year old has now reached the Grand Slam final just five years after he was born.
Raducanu is a star with her steely composure when executing her skills and a bubbly personality that charms fans around the world.
After bursting onto the professional scene in July with a fourth round win at Wimbledon, she reached the final of the US Open in her fourth tour-level event.
Andy Murray, Britain's former world number 1 said that "She has a great mindset, she is smart, and is doing exceptionally well - I am sure she will continue on the right track."
Her parents shaped her into a sporting prodigy
Raducanu's rise was heavily influenced her Chinese mother Renee, and her Romanian father Ian. Both work in finance and moved to London when their daughter was 2.
Raducanu was five years old when she first picked up a tennis racket. She then joined the Bromley Tennis academy before the Lawn Tennis Association recognized her potential.
Raducanu was taken under the wing of the governing body at an early age. He participated in trips and camps abroad before moving on to the next age group.
Raducanu was 14 years old when she participated in the Wimbledon girls singles.
Raducanu has remained composed and grounded on court, despite this support being crucial.
She said, "I believe that the calmness as well as the mental strength definitely come from my upbringing."
"I believe my parents instilled in me a positive attitude on the court from a young age.
"It was a no-go when I was younger if I had a bad attitude. That was something I learned early on and it has stayed with me all my life.
Raducanu's unexpected run in New York had one downside: her parents were unable to attend any of her matches in person.
Due to strict travel restrictions to the United States, they will not be able see Saturday's final against Leylah Fernandez from Canada.
It's impossible because you need to get a waiver. This takes several weeks for approval. Raducanu said that it's too late for them to obtain one.
Young professional with a savvy who is able to make difficult career decisions
Although she was long considered a star in British tennis, Raducanu had never been tested at the highest level of play before being granted a wildcard to Wimbledon.
She was ranked 336 worldwide as he only faced her second tour-level event. However, she took it all in stride the entire way to the final 16.
Then, there was a worrying moment. After beating two top-50 All England Club players, she was forced to withdraw from the fourth round match due to breathing difficulties and dizziness. She was trailing Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia 6-4 3-0.
Raducanu, after her first New York practice session, explained to BBC Sport the physical improvements that she had made.
She said that she hadn't done as much work as the other girls on tour for ten years, almost three weeks ago.
"It was a completely new experience to me to be able to play the intensity that I had for a few weeks straight.
This was possible by playing more matches in the lead up to the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals at an ITF Tour event (Pennsylvania) and the final at a WTA Challenger tournament in Chicago - then going through three rounds qualifying at Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu was able to enjoy four days of no matches between qualifying and her first round match. Raducanu also had a day off between main-draw matches to recuperate.
Will Herbert, a physiotherapist, was another key component of her physical improvement. Herbert was a former trainer for Alexander Zverev, the German men's number four and Kyle Edmund, the former British number one - Raducanu says he is her "mechanic".
Raducanu's makeup includes identifying what Raducanu needs to do to become more successful.
Raducanu, who had been guided at the All-England Club by Nigel Sears after her Wimbledon success, returned to Andrew Richardson's coaching. He is a former British tour player with whom she played before she was teenager.
She spoke out about her decision to switch to BBC Sport prior US Open qualifying. She said that she needed "fresh eyes and fresh voices" and that Sears, who is most well-known for coaching Ana Ivanovic (previously ranked number five) and Daniela Hantuchova (previously ranked number five), brought the greatest value at the "top of the game".
It has been a wise move that has brought about positive results.
Raducanu has been able to "take nuggets" from a variety coaches as she seeks to create her identity, according to Anne Keothavong (captain of Britain's Billie Jean King Cup).
Keothavong stated that she is a sponge and absorbs everything people say. "She is independent and creates her own vision of what she wants to do and how she wants it to be done."
Naomi Cavaday, an ex-player on the British tour who also coached Raducanu as a child, supports this view.
Cavaday stated, "She is a phenomenal worker. The best worker I have ever met."
"Her demands on herself and her team have been incredible. Emma demands that you be 100% when you are on court.
"Every shot, she will be looking at analysis and asking questions. It has always been this way."
Multiple honors for emerging talent
Raducanu's family is cautious about putting too much pressure on the teenaged one.
Iain Bates is the British head of women's tennis and says it is important that you "live in the moment" without making any predictions about your career.
Young players who have talent are not guaranteed. An example of this is the story of Laura Robson, a British player with talent who reached the fourth round of US Open in 2012 as an 18-year old before her career was halted by injury.
However, if Raducanu is healthy, the Grand Slam champions Martina Navratilova (previous Grand Slam champions) predict that she will win multiple Grand Slam titles.
"When you see this kind of talent, it won't be denied. "The only thing she could deny is that her body," stated Czech-American Navratilova who won 18 major singles titles.
She is almost a finished product, even though she is just starting.
Virginia Wade, Britain’s last female Grand Slam champion has been following Raducanu live from New York and described the teenager’s game as "ticking all boxes"
Wade, the British legend and last woman to win a Grand Slam title in Britain, is in agreement.
Wade stated, "No question – I'm certain she will win majors." Wade said, "But she will share them with a few who will be dominating this game."
Murray, who was 25 when he won his first major at the 2012 US Open at age 25, knows Raducanu well. He has practiced with her at Roehampton's National Tennis Centre, and Sears, her former coach, is his father in law.
The Scot said that "Her attitude is amazing, she trains hard, practises well, and I haven't heard anyone say a negative word about her."
A mature, engaged teenager who is ready to take on the role
Fans and media in sport are always on the lookout to find the next great talent. British tennis has been looking for a female player for years.
Raducanu, who is a chatty, bubbly, and polite woman, is at ease in the spotlight. Her interviews have proven this. She has also been seen interacting with New Yorkers after her wins, smiling and enjoying every moment of it.
She was interviewed for Vogue magazine's photoshoot this week.
She jokes about not missing her parents in New York because that is every teenager's dream. Her natural giggles post-match interview have shown how she has a sense of humor and is easy going off the court.
"One thing I was impressed with is her calm and how she takes it all in stride," said Bates, Lawn Tennis Association's president.
"Her level on court improves with each match. It's a thrilling sport for British women's tennis.
Johanna Konta reached two Grand Slam semi finals in recent years. However, Raducanu is a much more popular choice.
Wade believes Raducanu winning a Grand Slam will "do infinitely" for British tennis, and encourage more young players to pick up a tennis racquets, especially female ones.
Wade stated, "I cannot explain how important this is." It is the thrill of knowing that you can rely on someone and watching them enjoy it. She is an inspiration.
"Girls at 18 are mature. She is intelligent, thinks well, and speaks very well.
"I believe she is going to manage it, but she will have to deal with a lot."
