- Andy Murray feels teenage star Emma Raducanu is Britain’s next big tennis star
- Murray has hopes that Britain’s tennis is in safe hands with Raducanu
Former world No. 1 Andy Murray feels teenage star Emma Raducanu is Britain’s next tennis inspiration as he nears his retirement.
Murray, 34, has a distinguished tennis career that includes two Wimbledon crowns, one US Open crown, and two gold medals from the Olympic Games.
In spite of this, he is currently rated No. 84 in the world because of his recent struggles with injury.
His finest tennis days are behind him, but Murray intends to continue playing the sport for as long as his body allows him. It’s something his family has been doing for years, and he plans to do the same.
Andy Murray. Photo/Eurosport
For more than a decade, Murray has been the face of British tennis, and Raducanu appears to be the person who will take his place.
In September of last year, at the age of 18, she became an overnight sensation after winning the US Open. She became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam.
“It’s been difficult. Hopefully, with Emma Raducanu’s success and stuff, that will get more younger people into the sport,” Murray told Moselle Open.
Murray’s mother is working with young girls in the grassroots who love tennis.
Meanwhile, Ivan Lendl is returning to Murray’s coaching staff in April. Murray had some of the strongest periods of his career under the tutelage of Lendl. He worked with the Brit twice, from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2017.
Murray’s relationship with his coaching staff has not always been harmonious. When he was eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open by former coach Jan de Witt, his time with de Witt came to an end.
The incident occurred at the 2007 Moselle Open when he was just a kid and training with Brad Gilbert, his coach at the time.
Raducanu’s 2021 season was worth a million words. It was mostly about her success for the year and her effort to change the tennis landscape as a greenhorn who proved everyone wrong.
She bagged the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award.
Raducanu was little known until mid-2021 when she rose from the ashes like a phoenix. In late June, the 19-year-old made her debut on Court 18 in front of a crowd of British tennis fans.
At 18, Raducanu became the eighth-youngest player to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Hingis is still the youngest, after winning the Australian Open in 1997 at the age of 16.
Emma Raducanu’s 2021 season saw her thrash Canadian teen Leylah Fernandez the women’s single at Flushing Meadows.
Emma Raducanu US Open 2021. Photo/Sky Sports
Although Raducanu did not drop a set in the ten matches, it did not mean the absence of challenges.
She admitted it was a tough contest with only a few points here and there making the difference. Three of them qualifiers just to make it into the main draw – and made history by becoming the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam.
Prior to winning the US Open, she was only paid £100,000 in endorsements from Wilson and Nike. She recently signed an agreement with Evian, a bottled water manufacturer.
Furthermore, she has been touted to become an athlete worth $1billion.
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