"He wasn't going to miss this opportunity" - Raducanu delighted about father being able to see her play

Despite winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open, the moment was bittersweet for Emma Raducanu as her father was unable to witness the occasion in person.

Raducanu's father, Ian, hails from Romania and was unable to attend his daughter's Grand Slam final due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. However, the 18-year secured entry into the Transylvania Open, which is taking place in his native land. Therefore, Ian Raducanu was able to see Emma play and watch her progress through the tournament.

“Now he can really experience how it is after a bit of success and enjoy it,” Raducanu said. “He wouldn’t travel too much with me usually but because it is Romania he had to come – he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity.

“It is great to have him here with me having gone through my whole journey and then not be with me in New York when that special experience happened.”

Raducanu fought past Polona Hercog in the opening round, before defeating compatriot Ana Bogdan in the round of 16. However, the British teenager fell in the quarterfinals to Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk.