Emma Raducanu shares heartwarming photo after insane 2021 breakthrough
Emma Raducanu has shared an emotional image from the players locker room only moments after she won the US Open title.
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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Raducanu became the first qualifier in tennis history to win a major after her dream run at Flushing Meadows.
The British superstar was propelled to superstar status as sponsors gravitated towards the next-big thing in tennis after becoming the fairytale storyline of 2021.
Despite struggling after her maiden grand slam trophy, Raducanu is preparing to make 2022 even bigger than her breakthrough season.
And to thank her fans, Raducanu released a photo of her lying down in disbelief in the players locker room only moments after winning the US Open trophy.
"Wowww… that was some year, 2 pics to sum up my 2021 season," she wrote.
"I want to say thank you & that I am extremely grateful for your generous support.
"I’ve learnt many things at a fast pace on this incredible journey but, all I can say is that I am very excited and motivated for my next steps. I feel I can put in great work together with my team, with patience I believe we’ll get there.
"Huge thanks and big appreciation to my team & people who have supported me! This wouldn’t have been possible without you."
Emma Raducanu's mixed results before coach announcement
The US Open champion was knocked out of the WTA event in stunning scenes, losing 1-6, 7-6 (7-0), 5-7 to World No.106 Wang Xinyu.
The 18-year-old top seed, who has since announced Torben Beltz as her new coach, stunned the tennis world in September when she became the first qualifier ever to win a major.
But in her third tournament since the Flushing Meadows success, the British teenager struggled from the start against the 20-year-old Chinese qualifier.
It marked another bad day in the office for Raducanu, who had been without a coach since parting company with Andrew Richardson shortly after her triumph in New York.
But the 18-year-old hopes the experience of Beltz can help her build on her breakout season next year.
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