Emma Raducanu ‘doesn’t understand’ how she could win this sporting honour
Emma Raducanu is perplexed that she could be in the running to beat out the likes of Lewis Hamilton for this prestigious sporting award.
The US Open champion recently took part in an exhibition match at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
It was a first home appearance for Raducanu since her New York triumph.
She spoke about advice she received from fellow British sporting talent Hamilton.
“He’s just been really cool in helping me,” Raducanu said. “He said: ‘Be patient, you’ve just got to ride the wave. It’s all good. Don’t worry.’ Good reassurance. He’s a really cool guy.”
The two met at the Met Gala soon after Raducanu claimed her US Open title.
Further on the topic of Hamilton and Raducanu, the teen was asked what she thought of her chances for winning Sports Personality of the Year ahead of Hamilton.
Despite her amazing journey in 2021, she still cannot comprehend that possibility.
“I just don’t even think about it,” Raducanu said. “For me, it’s something that’s so far out of the realms of possibility that I just don’t even understand how it could be a possibility.”
Virginia Wade won the award back in 1977, the last time a British woman claimed a singles Slam title before Raducanu’s US Open triumph.
Two other tennis players have won the award, being Ann Jones in 1969, Greg Rusedski in 1997 and Andy Murray three times in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
Hamilton is the current holder, having also won in 2014 after his second Formula One World Championship title. This year’s award will be presented on 19th December.
Image credit: Champions Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall, the ATP Champions Tour finals, on November 28th, 2021 in London, England. For more information please visit Champions Tennis on Twitter @ChampionsTennis and on Instagram @champions_tennis
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