As qualies are underway at #USOpen, just pausing to reflect on how nuts it was that Emma Raducanu won a Slam qualies without dropping set. Like, I know we discussed it at the time, but it remains one of the most absurd feats in 21st Century tennis.
"One of the most absurd feats in 21st Century tennis": Ben Rothenberg reflects on Emma Raducanu's amazing achievement at 2021 US Open
Tennis NewsWednesday, 23 August 2023 at 15:02
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has reflected on Emma Raducanu's impressive and bizarre achievement at the 2021 US Open, where she won the Slam without dropping a set.
2021 US Open champion Raducanu seemingly came from nowhere to win the title at just 18 years old, making history in the process as the first and only qualifier to win a Grand Slam.
Moreover, the Briton managed this incredible feat without dropping a set the whole tournament, including during the qualifying rounds. In the final, Raducanu defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to take her first and only major title so far.
Rothenberg reflects on 'absurd' achievement
As the qualifying rounds for the 2023 US Open continue, Rothenberg recalled Raducanu's surprising feat.
"As qualies are underway at #USOpen, just pausing to reflect on how nuts it was that Emma Raducanu won a Slam qualies without dropping set.
Like, I know we discussed it at the time, but it remains one of the most absurd feats in 21st Century tennis," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Raducanu is absent from this year's major at Flushing Meadows due to having undergone surgery on her wrists and ankle earlier this year, which also saw her miss the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon. The 20-year-old is planning on returning to the sport in December.
Fans react to surprise success
In response to Rothenberg's tweet, fans shared their thoughts on Raducanu's surprise success.
"One of most absurd achievements in the sport, period.
Forever etched herself into history being the first and only qualifier to win a slam. No-one will ever take that away from her regardless of what she does or doesn't go on to achieve in the sport," wrote one.
However, others criticized the fact that Raducanu has struggled to replicate the same high levels of success in the time since she lifted the trophy in New York. In the first round of the 2022 tournament, she lost in straight sets to Alize Cornet in her opening round, and she is yet to get past the fourth round of any other Slam.
However, others were quick to defend the young tennis star.
"She did something truly ridonkulous in three weeks that set her up for life.
To think that whatever else happened matters more is like focusing on all the time Neil Armstrong wasn’t on the moon," he replied.
"Still a Grand Slam winner for now and always," added another.
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