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Emma Raducanu's staggering rankings rise after US Open triumph

Emma Raducanu has rocketed up the world rankings after her historic US Open victory. Pic: Getty
Emma Raducanu has rocketed up the world rankings after her historic US Open victory. Pic: Getty

When Emma Raducanu stormed onto the world stage as a Wimbledon wildcard earlier this year, she was ranked 338 in the world.

Fast forward two months and the British teen has rocketed into the top 25 of women's tennis after her historic triumph at the US Open.

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Raducanu's incredible run to the fourth round at Wimbledon - in what was her first appearance in a grand slam tournament - helped her rise to World No.150 before the start of the US Open.

The 18-year-old then famously became the first qualifier in the history of tennis to claim the title at Flushing Meadows after beating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets in the women's decider.

Her history-making triumph saw Raducanu gain a remarkable 127 spots in the latest world rankings released by the WTA - which puts Raducanu as the world's 23rd ranked female player.

That's an extraordinary 325 places above where she started before Wimbledon, just two months ago.

By winning the US Open as a qualifier, Raducanu earned 2,040 points and jumped 127 spots to overtake Johanna Konta as the highest-ranked woman from Britain.

Raducanu credited her trips abroad during her age-group tournaments for developing the confidence to succeed on bigger stages.

"When I started having results early on on those trips, it definitely was eye opening that I could do something," she told reporters on Thursday.

"But I never really realised that I would take tennis as a career until maybe two years ago.

"Yeah, I always have my education as a backup. I was doing it alongside my tennis. I had options. I still do. But obviously I'm a 100 per cent in my tennis now."

Born to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother, Raducanu said she was inspired by China's two-time major winner Li Na while growing up.

A dream come true for Emma Raducanu

Her biggest triumph until now was her 2019 title at an International Tennis Federation $25,000 event at Pune, India.

She has now become the first qualifier in both men's and women's tennis to reach a grand slam final and has done so without dropping a set in New York.

Pictured here, Emma Raducanu poses with her US Open trophy.
Emma Raducanu has the world at her feet after winning the US Open. Image: Getty

"I always had dreams of playing in grand slams but I just didn't know when they would come," she said, with her usual beaming smile on her face.

"To come this early, at this point in my career, I've only really been on tour for a month, two months since Wimbledon. It's pretty crazy to me.

"I knew I had some sort of level inside of me that was similar to these girls, but I didn't know if I was able to maintain it over a set or over two sets. To be able to do it and play the best players in the world and beat them, I honestly can't believe it."

US Open runner-up Fernandez, 19, moved up 45 places to 28th following her defeat to Raducanu in the decider.

Australia's Ash Barty remains world No.1 on a best 10,075 points ahead of Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on 7,720.

with agencies

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