Emma Raducanu’s US Open 2021 run named among greatest moments in British women’s sport

Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory has been recognised as one of the 20 most important moments in British women’s sporting history, according to a shortlist compiled by The Telegraph. The selection reinforces the lasting impact of her breakthrough in New York, widely regarded as one of the most improbable achievements in modern tennis.

The list, assembled by an expert panel from Telegraph Sport and the Sport Industry Group, evaluated achievements between 2000 and 2025 using criteria including “iconic sporting achievement, cultural significance, transformational influence and lasting legacy.”

At 18, Raducanu became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam title, progressing through 10 matches without dropping a set. Her performance redefined expectations for emerging players and delivered a rare individual achievement that combined dominance with unpredictability.

The recognition arrives at a different stage in her career. Now 23, Raducanu is navigating a rebuilding period marked by injuries, coaching adjustments, and inconsistent results, underlining the contrast between her early peak and current trajectory.

The Telegraph described Raducanu’s title as a “Fairytale of New York,” emphasising both the improbability and execution of her campaign. Her path to the title remains unique in the Open Era, not only for the number of matches required but also for the consistency of her performances.

“Emma Raducanu Fairytale of New York US Open, 2021: Raducanu’s miraculous victory at the 2021 US Open was even more unlikely than the plot of the film Wimbledon. Various unrepeatable factors helped Raducanu blast through 10 rounds without dropping a set: a collapsing draw, unusually light balls, empty stands. But what a display of shock and awe from the player herself, whose fearlessness struck panic into every opponent she faced. As an individual achievement, it was peerless.”

The run was notable not only for its outcome but also for the level of control Raducanu maintained throughout the tournament. She did not drop a set across qualifying and main draw, an unprecedented feat in Grand Slam history.

Her victories over established players such as Bencic and Sakkari demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level immediately, while her composure in the final against Fernandez confirmed the maturity of her performance under pressure.

Despite the historical recognition, Raducanu’s present circumstances reflect a more complex phase of her career. Since reaching the Transylvania Open final earlier this season, she has managed just one win in her last three tournaments, highlighting ongoing inconsistency.

Her most recent appearance at Indian Wells ended in the third round with a 6–1, 6–1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova. The one-sided nature of the loss, completed in under an hour, raised further questions about her physical readiness, later confirmed by her withdrawal from the Miami Open.

Raducanu continues to deal with post-viral symptoms following tournaments in Doha and Dubai, limiting her ability to build sustained momentum. The decision to skip Miami also carries ranking consequences, as she forfeits 215 points from last year’s quarter-final run.

Looking ahead, she is expected to return at the WTA event in Linz, which will also mark the beginning of her clay-court season. The focus remains on recovery and establishing a more stable competitive rhythm.

The inclusion of Raducanu’s US Open triumph among Britain’s most significant sporting moments reinforces the enduring nature of her breakthrough. It remains a reference point in discussions of modern tennis, particularly regarding the unpredictability of success at the highest level.

At the same time, the gap between that achievement and her current position illustrates the challenges of sustaining elite performance. Injuries, physical adaptation, and structural decisions continue to shape her trajectory in the years following her initial rise.

For now, Raducanu’s place in history is secure. Whether she can build on that foundation and return to consistent contention remains one of the key questions on the WTA Tour.