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Emma Raducanu ‘can’t get a tennis court’ due to buzz around sport after US Open

After storming to a historic victory in New York on Saturday, the 18-year-old sang Sweet Caroline and Mr Brightside on a party bus with her team.

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Emma Raducanu has said she “can’t get a tennis court” due to the buzz around the sport after her US Open victory.

After storming to a historic win in New York on Saturday, the 18-year-old sang Sweet Caroline and Mr Brightside on a party bus with her team.

The tennis star also told of mingling with celebrities, but has not thought about her £1.8 million prize money.

US Open – Day Twelve – USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
The 18-year-old claimed a historic victory on Saturday (Michael Nagle/Xinhua via PA Wire)

“On the way to the hotel after winning and leaving the club there was a party bus going on with music, good tunes and we were all just singing along, and we had a really nice night just talking until early on in the morning, just reflecting on the whole experience and what an amazing time it’s been.

“I managed to go to some really cool events and places, at the Met Gala I spoke to Lewis Hamilton, which was really cool being such a fan of loads of sports, it was really nice to see him and speak to him there.

“The Met was such an artistic event with great performances and I was very honoured and grateful to have been able to go.”

However, Raducanu has not yet treated herself to anything with the £1.8 million prize money she won.

US open winner Emma Raducanu
Raducanu told of mingling with celebrities at the Met Gala (BBC)

“I don’t really think of the money side of it, I just love competing, I know there are lots of taxes and expenses.

“I haven’t logged onto my bank, I’ve just been at home or been in the moment.”

After hearing that tennis facilities around the country are busy following her success, Raducanu said: “Can I say, I can’t get a tennis court either, I still can’t get a court!”

Along with a letter of congratulations from the Queen, Raducanu also spoke on the phone to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She added: “It was really nice of him and he congratulated me, but we also spoke about how we both wanted to try to inspire more kids in grassroots tennis and get more young children involved, and hopefully my win can show you can live a normal life and achieve great things.”

On her arrival back at home in Bromley, south-east London, on Thursday, she went on to say: “They just gave me a hug when I came back, nothing crazy.

“My mum made some really good homemade dumplings. Just some reassurance in saying they’re proud of me.”

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