It’s been an insane year for Raducanu. After playing match after match, the remarkable tennis player earned a nomination for British Sports Personality of the Year. Unfortunately, the same day marked her contraction of covid-19. Soon after, Raducanu began isolating in Abu Dhabi.
Her untimely isolation caused fans to contemplate Raducanu’s future regarding her nomination.
Who is Emma Raducanu?
At only 19, British tennis player Emma Raducanu snagged the US Open title and became the first British woman to win the Grand Slam singles since 1977. Her meteoric rise to fame soon led her to an extraordinary position: being shortlisted for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award. As of 2021, the name Raducanu has become synonymous with ‘US Open champion.’
Among other impressive non-sports-related achievements, Raducanu is currently the brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co, Dior, and British Airways. In addition, she is also sponsored by sportswear monopolists Nike and Wilson.
Why Was Raducanu Nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award?
Raducanu started her professional career in 2018 by participating in various junior and pro-level tournaments. 2019 saw her partake in the ITF tournaments in India, where she earned herself both quarterfinal and semifinal victories in just three sets.
In 2020, Raducanu secured the LTA British Tour Masters title. She also partook in various small-scale tournaments across the UK and won awards in most of them. But, unfortunately, Covid stopped her from advancing to more professional playing fields.
Luckily, things took a turn for the better in 2021. First, she participated in the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, later becoming one of the youngest British female tennis players to reach its third round. Soon after, she secured a position amongst the last 16 in the Open Era. This victory helped skyrocket her world ranking to the top 200.
She was previously ranked no. 338., participating in the Silicon Valley Classic and annual US Open Series helped raise her to no. 150 in the world. She also beat superstar Johanna Konta to win the title of ‘British no. 1.’These spectacular achievements eventually led the BBC to nominate her for their Sports Personality of the Year award.
What Sets Raducanu’s Playing Style Apart from the Rest?
Raducanu is known for her aggressive playing style. According to Anne Keotavong, a former British no. 1 player, Raducanu’s strokes are “world-class.” Her remarkable talent has also made her a popular choice. You can use Fubo betting odds to find a bet worth placing on Raducanu.
When Was She Nominated for the Award?
On December 13th, Raducanu was shortlisted for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award. Unfortunately, she tested positive for Covid-19 on the same day. News of her positive-result spread like wildfire, mainly due to Raducanu’s rising popularity and recent nomination.
Many began to wonder whether the BBC would choose to revoke her nomination due to her poor health. But that’s not all; some critics also challenged her ability to win votes during the BBC’s public live ballot. The BBC Sports Person award is granted to the nominee who lands the most votes. To help boost their chances of winning, nominees generally campaign for votes and rally fan support. Unfortunately, being ill makes campaigning difficult, which is why so many people feared Raducanu might not win the Award.
If Emma Raducanu managed to secure the Award, she would be the first British woman to do so since 2006. Knowing the immense hard work, she put in throughout 2021 helped motivate fans to vote for her. But would their votes be enough? The verdict to the question was released on December 19th.
December 19th: Raducanu is Named the BBC’s Sports Person of the Year
After tallying votes cast by sports lovers from across the UK, the BBC announced their new title winner. Claiming victory over British Olympians Tom Daley and Adam Peaty, Emma Raducanu secured the Sports Person of the Year Award for 2021.
The victory came as a welcome surprise to her, especially because she was up against British favourites who won gold medals at the Olympics. Nevertheless, thanks to her hard work, resilience, and excellent field record, Raducanu secured the title.
Final Thoughts
The facts are in: Raducanu is a force to be reckoned with! After securing the US Open title and British no. 1, she also won the BBC Sports Person award.
Acknowledging her dedication to tennis teaches us that no matter how many curveballs life throws at us, we must get back up again. After all, her dedication, passion, and talent are what won Raducanu her new Award!
