"I was one of the only girls in a squad of boys playing tennis" - Emma Raducanu shares what shaped her as a person in honor of Women's Day

Emma Raducanu has already created history in her young tennis career. She became the first qualifier in the sport's history to lift a Grand Slam trophy at the 2021 US Open. She also became the first woman from Great Britain to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon win in 1977.

Emma Raducanu recently sat down for a chat with Formula 1 content creator Lissie Mackintosh in a video for HSBC on the occasion of Women’s Day. The former World No. 10 candidly revealed the circumstances she faced as a young girl playing tennis, surrounded by boys.

“When I was younger, playing tennis, I was one of the only girls in a squad of boys playing tennis and that can be quite daunting. I think you’re intimidated to start with, but then you want to try and win,” the 2021 US Open champion said.

The 20-year-old credited tennis for shaping her as a person. She remarked that the situation helped her grow and hoped for the sport to do the same for other young girls.

“Yeah, I think that I just grew as a person and now I think that tennis gave me that,” Raducanu said in the conversation with Mackintosh. “I hope it can do the same for other young girls out there.”

Speaking about the women she looked up to, Raducanu named former Chinese tennis player and two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na as well as record-making British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, having attended the same school as her.

“I would say my role model is Li Na. I think that she resembles what I see myself as, as an athlete,” she said.

“As an ally-wise, Dina Asher-Smith (is my role model). We went to the same school. We both studied history, had the same teacher. It’s great to just share insights,” she added.

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"I don't mind if people undermine me" - Emma Raducanu prefers being an underdog

Indian Wells will be Raducanu's first tournament since Australian Open exit

Emma Raducanu became an overnight sensation after her 2021 US Open win. The player was unquestionably a massive underdog at the tournament. She recently admitted that she prefers it that way.

During the conversation with Mackintosh, Emma Raducanu stated that people doubting her capabilities doesn’t bother her. Instead, she said that such victories - as underdogs - taste even sweeter.

“I don’t mind if people undermine me or count me out because then I feel like the underdog and when I prove then wrong, it’s even more satisfactory,” the British player said.

Emma Raducanu is now gearing up to contest the 2023 Indian Wells, which will be her first tournament since her second-round exit at the Australian Open. The 20-year-old will face Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the first round.