'Really smart move': Tennis fans erupt over Emma Raducanu news
Emma Raducanu has reportedly received an invitation to become a member of the exclusive All England Club.
The British 18-year-old made her grand slam debut at Wimbledon earlier this year - home to the All England Club - before winning the US Open in extraordinary scenes in September.
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Wimbledon singles champions received an automatic invitation to join the All England Club, with the likes of Andy Murray and Roger Federer among its members.
But despite only reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, Raducanu has reportedly been hand-picked to join the exclusive club.
According to The Telegraph in the UK, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has extended an invitation to Raducanu after the teenager's groundbreaking year.
AELTC rules state that invitations can be extended to “eminent” players, not just Wimbledon champions.
The total number of members cannot exceed 500.
"In practical terms, members can use the club’s courts to practice on, away from the crowds which gather at less exclusive venues," wrote Simon Briggs of The Telegraph.
"Any elite player is entitled to use the AELTC’s grass courts in the build-up to the Championships, but Raducanu should gain a wider benefit from hard-court facilities such as the AELTC’s centre at nearby Raynes Park, where Murray often prepares for overseas tournaments."
Raducanu will be the youngest member of the All England Club if she accepts the invitaion.
The stunning news had tennis fans in awe.
Invite Sent! 📨
The All England Club has invited @EmmaRaducanu to become a member of the illustrious club that host Wimbledon each year.
MORE: https://t.co/P9oVskVrFK pic.twitter.com/f5OM6vL6uq— TENNIS (@Tennis) November 4, 2021
Really smart move by Sally Bolton and the members of SW19. Credit to Tim Henman and Mark Petchey who have done a lot to help Emma with her success.🏆Tim will be AELTC Chief Executive in the future in my opinion.
— James Wilson (@JamesWi23669247) November 4, 2021
This is a really smart move by SW19. Emma will be able to practice with more freedom. She will also be able to practice on the grass courts during the run up to SW19. We all love you Emma❤️Congratulations.
— James Wilson (@JamesWi23669247) November 4, 2021
youngest member if she accepts?
— enylim88@gmail.com (@Enylmn) November 4, 2021
Raducanu became the first British woman to win a grand slam singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Wade was also invited to join the All England Club after she won the US Open at age 23.
Emma Raducanu gets first win on WTA Tour
She may be a grand slam champion, but until last week Raducanu hadn't won a match at WTA Tour level.
The 18-year-old finally registered her maiden win on the WTA Tour after digging deep to overcome World No.124 Polona Hercog in the Transylvanian Open first round.
In her second match since her stunning New York triumph, Raducanu came from behind to oust the Slovenian 4-6 7-5 6-1 at Cluj.
She was finally been able to end the anomaly of being a grand slam champion without a win on the WTA Tour.
The World No.23 registered her first Tour victory at her fourth WTA tournament after opening round losses at Nottingham, San Diego and Indian Wells.
"It feels like a huge win, it is my first WTA Tour win which makes me very happy," Raducanu said.
"It was difficult for me but I feel to win my first WTA match does mean a lot because I was on a losing streak, so I got my first one.
"I am really pleased to have come through that today."
Raducanu went on to lose to Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
with AAP
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