The 18-year-old Brit beat the 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez with a 6-4 6-3 win. It was an impressive Finals with these equally matched players gunning for the title.
The match was marked by a medical break when Raducanu had to have a medical time out after she cut her leg. The delay was a clear irritation for her Canadian opponent as Fernandez was seen expressing herself to the match official.
Both shrugged off the delay and went back to the match. They shared a warm hug at the end.
One of the people there to support Raducanu was Virginia Wade. Wade, a tennis champion herself, was the last British female to have won a major award in Wimbledon. Until this win by Raducanu, Wade was also the last female Briton to have won at Flushing Meadows in 1968.
“It means so much to have Virginia Wade here and also Tim Henman they are British icons and for me to follow in their footsteps gave me the belief I could do it.” “ said Raducanu, acknowledging the presence of Wade and also that of Henman’s.
This win helped Raducanu break a few records:
- Youngest Brit to win a Grand Slam
- First Open era Qualifier to win a
- Grand Slam Youngest Women’s Champion since 2004
- First female British player to winFlushing Meadows since 1968
Raducanu rises to No.23 in the world, following this win. She also takes home 1.8m in prize money.