Emma Raducanu receives honour from King Charles for services to tennis

Emma Raducanu receives honour from King Charles for services to tennis

by Tom Grant

Last updated

Emma Raducanu has put a tough year on the court behind her after she was awarded an MBE at a ceremony on Tuesday.

The Brit was honoured by King Charles III during a ceremony at Windsor Castle for her services to the sport of tennis following her historic US Open win in 2021.

Raducanu became the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam when she claimed a shock maiden major win in September last year and also wrote her name into the history books by becoming the first British female tennis player to win a slam since Virginia Wade in 1977.

She was playing in just her fourth-ever professional tournament.

In a statement after the ceremony, Raducanu said: "It's been great to receive my honour today from his Majesty the King. I feel extremely grateful. "

The 20-year-old from Bromley, south-east London, was praised by local Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith, who highlighted the way Raducanu had bounced back from recent setbacks.

She said: "I think it is fantastic seeing a young person [achieve] the success that she had, and I think obviously now she faces that incredibly challenging situation of coping with that success and coping also with disappointment.

"And I certainly think it is wonderful to see young people being praised and being rewarded and let's make sure we give every young person the opportunities so that they can develop their talents to the full."

The British No.1, who recently appointed former Andy Murray fitness coach Jez Green, has had a bump back to earth in 2022 as she has struggled with niggling injuries and loss of form.

She failed to defend her Flushing Meadows title at the first hurdle, losing to Alize Cornet in straight sets.

The announcement of Raducanu becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire was followed by words that read: "Emma Radacanu receives an MBE following her incredible US Open win."

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