Emma Raducanu: Andy Murray says British tennis must build on teenager’s US Open win | Tennis News
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Raducanu did not drop a set throughout the tournament in New York this month as she beat Leylah Fernandez to become the first British woman to win a major singles title for 44 years; Andy Murray believes tennis in Britain had to change its image of being exclusive.
Last Updated: 21/09/21 7:13am
Emma Raducanu poses with the US Open trophy after her historic win
Andy Murray says British tennis must capitalise on Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph and make the sport more accessible to ensure the wait for another Grand Slam champion is not too long.
Raducanu did not drop a set throughout the tournament in New York this month as she beat Leylah Fernandez to become the first British woman to win a major singles title for 44 years.
Murray himself ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion when he overcame Novak Djokovic in the 2012 final at Flushing Meadows.
Emma Raducanu’s remarkable US Open title as a qualifier is a ‘huge opportunity’ to grow tennis at the grassroots level and encourage more girls to play the sport, says Judy Murray
« For a country that hosts the biggest tennis tournament in the world and certainly not lacking in money, that’s not really good enough, » Murray said, referring to the Wimbledon championships.
« Now should be an opportunity to try to make sure it’s not another huge wait. They need to try to take the opportunity. »
The three-time Grand Slam champion said tennis in Britain had to change its image of being exclusive.
« If your image is that it’s a rich person’s sport and it’s too expensive to play, I’m sure that it potentially puts people off, parents as well, getting their kids into it, » he said.
Murray said he would not give Raducanu advice without being asked by the 18-year-old.
« I never really liked it when all of the ex-British players were always wading in after every win and loss about what you should be doing, what you shouldn’t be doing, » Murray said.
« I found it incredibly irritating and still do. I don’t want to be that person. »
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