British junior draws cheers for Sweden at the French Open as she makes youngest appearance by anyone in the Women’s Single’s draw
Tennis’ newest superstar Emma Raducanu celebrates return to UK by playing with Duchess of Cambridge
Sweden’s most famous sports celebrity has returned to the UK. One of the 17-year-old Tennis Tennis Academy runner-ups from 2014 Emma Raducanu has played a match alongside Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at the French Open in Paris.
Raducanu joined the Duchess to watch British wild card Heather Watson’s first-round match against Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain.
Raducanu’s run as part of the TSA team in Gothenburg, Sweden, will be the subject of a BBC documentary, along with her tennis exploits.
“I’m so proud and honoured to be playing with the Duchess of Cambridge and I hope the fact that she’s British will make her very much more enthusiastic for the match,” she said.
“Hopefully people will enjoy it.”
On her return to the UK, Raducanu said: “It’s great to be in the UK again. Seeing my friends, playing tennis and also meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was such a great moment.
“I thought it was hilarious. When I was sitting down, it was probably my worst moment.”
Raducanu is the youngest player to appear in the Women’s Singles’ draw at Roland Garros and will join the TTA Elite Women’s Tennis Academy in Roehampton in the coming months.
Tennis is not her only occupation at the moment – Raducanu’s by-trade is merchandising. Last year the teenager established the first-ever sporting and fashion company to be built on the back of tennis: psilocybinook.com, named after the psychoactive plant that is used in yoga.
She also has her feet firmly planted in modern retail after helping to design and sell the first official Wimbledon store in 2014.
“I enjoy dressing women for their passion and interests. I think the old-fashioned tennis dress is outdated so I started making these dresses that are more confident and modern,” she said.
“And I really enjoy working with players, seeing them grow and we have had a few ambassadors who have really enjoyed our dresses and dresses that we have created to suit their style.”
The dress which the duchess wore is one of her favourites, as are she and William.
Raducanu is due to compete in the Syed Modi Ladies Tennis Classic – also known as the Eleanor Lloyd Trophy – at Roehampton this week.
