Lulu Sun hits jackpot: the sun rises on her Wimbledon journey

New Zealand’s Lulu Sun has hit the jackpot after beating Britain’s Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon 2024. The third Grand Slam of the year is moving towards its conclusion, and the remaining players are putting their all into securing the ultimate prize.

New Zealand’s Sun produced a remarkable result on Sunday. She defeated Britain’s young tennis star Raducanu in the round of 16 clash with a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. With that win, the 23-year-old has truly hit a jackpot. Sun, after that win, was invited to join the Last 8 Club, which would give players lifetime access to hospitality at the arena.

Not only that as Sun is also set to receive a handsome payout of £350,000 after reaching the last-eight of the mega-event. That prize money is much more than what the Te Anau-born star has earned in her entire career, which was roughly £244,000. She is set to earn much more if she also manages to book her place in the semifinal. This is the first time Sun has managed to qualify for any Grand Slam. Previously, her best outing in a mega-event was playing in the first round of the Australian Open. She lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 7-5.

After securing a famous win, Sun, while talking to the media, stated that she is not looking to do anything extra despite playing the tournament in the second week. “I mean, I don't think so that much,” she said. “I'm going to still play tennis next tournament, keep on training. I don't think much is going to change.” Sun is now set to face off Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the last-eight clash. The 28-year-old booked her place in the quarterfinal after beating Spain’s Paula Badosa in the round of 16 tie with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.