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A look at Emma Raducanu's rapid rise with the Kent teen tennis player favourite to be named Sports Personality of the Year

18:00, 19 December 2021

updated: 20:31, 19 December 2021

Emma Raducanu could cap a remarkable year in style tonight.

The teenager from Orpington has been nominated for the 2021 Sports Personality of the Year award on a six-strong shortlist and is the hot favourite for the award.

Kent's Emma Raducanu is the favourite to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year this weekend after winning the US Open. Picture: Paul Zimmer via www.imago-images.de/Imago/PA Images
Kent's Emma Raducanu is the favourite to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year this weekend after winning the US Open. Picture: Paul Zimmer via www.imago-images.de/Imago/PA Images

But the 19-year-old, who enjoyed a shock US Open success in September, may have to celebrate alone if she does win after it was announced on Monday she has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating. She had been due to play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi but has now withdrawn.

Nevertheless, winning the prestigious award would appear deserved recognition after she defied the odds in America in sensational style.

She will be up against footballer Raheem Sterling, boxer Tyson Fury, diver Tom Daley, swimmer Adam Peaty and Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey at the 68th annual Sports Personality of the Year awards, the winner being decided by a public vote.

Raducanu had initially emerged at Wimbledon in the summer, while she awaited her A-Level results, defying her ranking to reach the fourth round before retiring from her last-16 match with Alja Tomljanovic after suffering breathing difficulties.

In the US Open final, she beat Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to win her first-ever Grand Slam – without dropping a set throughout the entire tournament.

She was also the first-ever qualifier in the Open era to win a Grand Slam title.

But the trophy certainly isn’t pride of place at home because, instead, she has donated it to the National Tennis Centre in London.

Raducanu’s trophy cabinet is unlikely to be empty, however, with various accolades having come her way over the past three months.

She was voted - probably fairly unsurprisingly - WTA Newcomer of the Year.

A Tour statement read: “Emma made history in 2021 by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam at the US Open, where she did not drop a set throughout all 10 of her matches.

Raducanu became water brand Evian's new ambassador this year
Raducanu became water brand Evian's new ambassador this year

“Having made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon this year, she also reached the last 16 to become the youngest British woman ever to reach this stage at the All-England Club.”

Another gong she has claimed is BT Sport Action Woman of the Year.

In her virtual acceptance speech, Raducanu said: "I just wanted to say a massive thank you for voting me as your Action Woman of the Year and I’d really like to congratulate all the other amazing nominees on their incredible achievements over the last 12 months.

"For me to win this achievement is an absolute honour, so I just wanted to say thank you and hope you’re all having a brilliant evening. I’ll see you soon."

Raducanu has been named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year as well.

Renee Raducanu, Emma's mum, far left, collects her Kent LTA player of-the-year award. She is pictured alongside Kent LTA deputy president Sandi Procter, Karen Hodgson (Deal Parochial Primary School), Justine Brown (head teacher Deal Parochial Church of England Primary School), Jacqueline Darby (vice-captain Kent LTA ladies' team) and Mark Bradon (Sundridge Park)
Renee Raducanu, Emma's mum, far left, collects her Kent LTA player of-the-year award. She is pictured alongside Kent LTA deputy president Sandi Procter, Karen Hodgson (Deal Parochial Primary School), Justine Brown (head teacher Deal Parochial Church of England Primary School), Jacqueline Darby (vice-captain Kent LTA ladies' team) and Mark Bradon (Sundridge Park)

She won that gong ahead of fellow nominees Emily Campbell (weightlifting), Kate French (modern pentathlon), Laura Kenny (cycling), Lauren Price (boxing) and Storey (cycling).

With all eyes on Raducanu junior during her US Open run in September, mum Renee was busy working on behalf of her daughter - as she collected her award for Kent LTA player-of-the-year at the Sundridge Park Club.

The sponsorship deals have started coming her way, too.

Last week, she was unveiled as Evian's new global brand ambassador.

“It’s an honour to join the Evian team,” she said.

Raducanu has agreed a deal with jewellers Tiffany and Co which she announced on her Instagram account in September. Picture: Instagram / @emmaraducanu
Raducanu has agreed a deal with jewellers Tiffany and Co which she announced on her Instagram account in September. Picture: Instagram / @emmaraducanu

“Evian is an iconic brand and a champion of tennis and the younger generation - that’s why I’m proud to join the Evian roster of global brand ambassadors.

“Being an athlete, healthy hydration continues to be of the utmost importance to my day-to-day activity so I’m excited to partner with Evian and can’t wait to see what’s next.”

She became the water brand’s new ambassador, joining the likes of fellow tennis star Maria Sharapova and singer Dua Lipa.

Other sponsorship deals Raducanu has picked up have come with fashion house Dior and jewellers Tiffany and Co.

Announcing the deal with Tiffany and Co on Instagram, she wrote: "Very excited to join the iconic @tiffanyandco family as a house ambassador. Being able to wear these special jewellery pieces over the past few weeks has been an honour!"

Raducanu’s rapid rise saw her finish 2021 ranked 19th in the world - after starting it 343rd.

The BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2021 will be broadcast on BBC One from 6.45pm.

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