Emma Raducanu has returned to her family home in Kent — the same cul-de-sac where she practiced tennis during lockdown, long before her stunning US Open victory. Her return comes shortly after reports surfaced that she trademarked her name within hours of her historic win.
The 22-year-old champion, who earned £1.8 million ($2.5 million) from her US Open title — more than eight times her previous career earnings — said she hasn’t decided how to spend the prize money yet. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Emma revealed that she hasn’t even checked her bank account since her victory in New York, explaining that her parents will handle the finances while she focuses on training.
“I haven’t bought anything yet,” she said. “Tennis is an expensive sport, so the money will go towards that. I’m not thinking about the financial side of things. There are a lot of taxes and expenses involved. I haven’t logged into my bank — I’ve just been at home enjoying the moment.”
Emma made history by becoming the first British woman in 44 years to win a major singles title — since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon victory in 1977 — and the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam. Her triumph has reportedly made her one of the most marketable athletes in the world, with major brands expected to line up with multimillion-pound endorsement offers.
Despite her newfound fame, Raducanu admitted she’s struggling to find a tennis court to practice on, as interest in the sport has skyrocketed since her win. “I can’t get a tennis court either,” she laughed. “It means a lot that tennis is so popular now.” *Good Morning Britain* host Kate Garraway joked, “You can’t even say, ‘I’m Emma Raducanu — give me the court?’”
After arriving home, Emma spent time with her parents — who were unable to watch her triumph in person due to COVID travel restrictions — and rewatched her final match. “It was actually more stressful watching it on TV than playing it,” she admitted. “When you’re on court, you feel in control, but watching it back, especially the ending, was nerve-racking.”
Reflecting on the moment she slid and injured her knee during the match, Emma said she thought the replay “looked pretty cool in slow motion.” She also spoke modestly about her appearance at the Met Gala, saying, “The invite list is far more significant than me. But I had an amazing time.”
Emma also addressed rumors that *Vogue* editor-in-chief Anna Wintour had offered her a magazine cover after they were spotted on the same flight to the UK. “I didn’t even know Anna Wintour was on my flight,” she said. “That didn’t happen. But of course, if the opportunity ever came up, I’d love to do it.”
Discussing her mindset before the US Open final, Emma confessed to feeling slightly uneasy. “Before the match, I was nervous. Something felt a little off, but I couldn’t explain it — probably just the occasion,” she said. “Once I stepped on court, it felt like any other match. I just focused point by point.”
Looking back, she said she’s proud of how she handled herself. “Watching it now, it almost doesn’t feel like me playing — pulling off those shots,” she said. “Even though I knew what was coming, some of the moments were still tense. I’m proud of how I managed everything out there.”
