Emma Raducanu believes Wimbledon wildcard entry led to her US Open title run

British tennis star Emma Raducanu will begin her 2024 grass court season at the Nottingham Open. The event holds a special place in her heart as she made her WTA Tour debut at the 2021 edition.

Prior to her opening round match at this year's Nottingham Open, Raducanu revealed her appearance at the 2021 edition led to her receiving a wildcard entry at that year's Wimbledon Championships. This would lead to Raducanu going on to make history by winning her maiden Grand Slam title as a qualifier at the 2021 US Open.

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"If I didn’t get that wild card [at Wimbledon], who knows what would have happened or if the US would have happened?" said the British star in an interview with The Telegraph. "So I think life is a compilation of butterfly effects and small moments that you don’t know what’s going to happen."

Raducanu won three matches at the 2021 Wimbledon event in straight sets, before retiring in the fourth round against Ajla Tomljanovic due to breathing problems. However, this was enough to see her make the qualifying stages for the US Open, where she battled her way to the main draw. The 18-year old would go on to lift the title without dropping a set, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final.