US Open junior champion Emma Raducanu has been named Sports Personality of the Year by the BBC in 2021.
Raducanu, then 18, ended the British 44-year wait for the Grand Slam women’s singles title with a remarkable victory at Flushing Meadows.
Her fairy tale victory came after running to the fourth round of Wimbledon in July in her Grand Slam main draw.
In a public vote, diver Tom Daley was second and swimmer Adam Peaty was third.
Manchester City and England striker Raheem Sterling, boxer Tyson Fury and UK’s most successful Paralympic athlete Sarah Storey were also shortlisted for the main prize.
“It’s an honor to be among these nominees. Congratulations to you and all your accomplishments,” Raducanu said.
“I’m really happy with this, I watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up and it’s an honor to be among the past winners.
“I’m also very happy for British tennis, and we’ve won this award… again!
“Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been crazy. This year the energy of playing at Wimbledon in front of a home audience, it’s something I’ve never felt before.”
Now 19 and ranked number one in the UK, Raducanu becomes the first female player to win Sports Personality of the Year since Virginia Wade in 1977 – the last British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Andy Murray is the last tennis player to win the award, with his third coming in 2016. Raducanu is the first woman to win the award since Zara Phillips, now Tindall, in 2006.
A year to remember
Having just completed her A-Levels, Raducanu showed up at Wimbledon where she was awarded a wildcard for a late main draw following her WTA Tour debut earlier in June.
An impressive head-to-head victory and subsequent court appearance as she advanced to the fourth round, and in doing so, became the youngest British woman to reach Wimbledon for the 16th time in the Open era.
Her dream run ended in heartbreak when she was forced to retire in round 4 with shortness of breath – but few knew what was going on.
When he won the US Open title in September with a 6-4 6-3 victory over compatriot Leylah Fernandez, Raducanu became:
- First Qualifier in Open Era to Win Grand Slam
- Youngest Women’s Grand Slam Champion since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004
- Youngest Englishman to win a Grand Slam title
- First woman to win US Open without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2014
She will enter 2022, ranked 19th in the world and with a new coach, Torben Beltz.
Presented by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, Sports Personality of the Year 2021 is broadcast live from MediaCityUK, Salford.
Other Award Winners at Sports Personality 2021
Helen Rollason Award: Jen Beattie
Coach of the Year: Gareth Southgate
Team of the Year: His men’s soccer team
World sports stars: Rachel Blackmore
Lifetime Achievements: Simone Biles
Silent hero: Sam Barlow
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Sky brown
