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US Open (tennis)
SportTennis
Tim Noonan
Tim Noonan

Opinion | US Open: teenaged phenoms Emma Raducanu and Leyla Fernandez turn the world on its ear as their lives get set to change dramatically

  • England’s Raducanu wins historic US Open final over Canada’s Fernandez in a seminal match that resonated globally
  • Life will never be the same again for either teenager

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Britain’s Emma Raducanu completes an incredible run to the US Open title in New York, where she didn’t drop a single set. Photo: AFP
Tim Noonan
It’s not entirely unprecedented. Two teenagers have played in the finals of the women’s US Open previously. Back in 1999, Serena Williams, two weeks shy of her 18th birthday, beat 19-year-old Martina Hingis. Twenty two years later Britain’s 18-year-old Emma Raducanu and Canada’s Leyla Fernandez, six days after turning 19, would reprise the teen showdown. But that is where the similarities end.
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By the time Raducanu won an unlikely and hard fought 6-4, 6-3 championship victory over Fernandez, these two teenagers had taken women’s tennis to places it has not been in years. This final had become a can’t miss TV event, transcending the sport beyond the hardcore tennis aficionados and hooking in millions of casual fans. There were so many compelling storylines to follow. But none was more impressive than the fact that neither of these girls, over a gruelling fortnight, ever acted like a teenager. Even in the finals, on one of the biggest stages in sport, their composure was remarkable. While the actual tennis itself was crisp and of the highest order, the sheer joy both played with was infectious and impossible to ignore as well.

This tennis final, and the build up to it, bore little similarity to any sporting event of recent vintage. Even the last teen tilt in 1999 lacked the drama or mystery this one did. Hingis was no normal 19 year old, having already won five grand slams. While Serena was, well, Serena – on her way to becoming arguably the greatest women’s player ever.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu smiles as runner-up Leylah Fernandez (centre back) looks on as the champion is interviewed. Photo: AFP
Britain’s Emma Raducanu smiles as runner-up Leylah Fernandez (centre back) looks on as the champion is interviewed. Photo: AFP
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Fernandez came into the US Open ranked 73 in the world and kept cheating the hangman as she came from behind to take down one giant after another. First there was an incredible comeback against number three seed and two time champion Naomi Osaka before knocking off another former champ followed by the number five and number two seeds all in succession. But as unlikely as Fernandez’s journey to the final was, Raducanu’s run was completely without precedent.

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