Emma Raducanu has described playing Serena Williams at the Cincinnati Open as the “perfect gift” as the icon nears retirement. The teen is just hours away from contesting her first and likely only meeting with the 23-time grand slam champion, with the American due to hang up her rackets after the US Open.
This generational clash is without doubt one of the most mouthwatering opening round ties we have seen this season, and it is a tough one to call. Although approaching the end of her flawless career, Williams, 41, is still a significant threat for any opponent and it is a nightmare draw for the 19-year-old who is searching for her best form ahead of her title defence at Flushing Meadows.
But 20 years ago, Williams was in supreme form and sat atop the WTA rankings the day the Bromley local was born. 2002 marked one of the greatest years of the icon’s career, winning three consecutive grand slam titles and becoming the world number one for the first time.
Fast forward to 2022 and the pair are now set to do battle, and one of the sport’s brightest young stars is relishing the prospect of facing a living legend. "I think it's gonna be an exciting match," Raducanu told reporters. "I'm looking forward to it. It's an amazing opportunity to play probably the best tennis player of all time. It's probably going to be my last opportunity to ever play her.
"I think that, for our careers to have crossed over, I think I'm really fortunate that I get to play her. Whatever happens, I think it's gonna be a really good experience for me and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
"Expectations, I don't really know, I don't really care. I just want to go out there and, one, enjoy the match that I'm going to play whenever I do play it. It's a great gift to play the best on her way out from the sport. So I'm just looking forward to that." The British superstar was just seven years old when she watched Williams live for the first time at Wimbledon in 2010.
She witnessed Serena defeat Anna Chakvetadze 6-0, 6-1 in the second round and the legend went on to claim her fourth title at the All-England Club that year. Williams managed to do so without dropping a set, something the pair have in common after the world number 13 captured the title at Flushing Meadows in the same manner last year.
"We got on to Centre Court somehow and we watched her annihilate someone (6-1 6-1)," the 19-year-old said of the incredible moment 12 years ago. "That was just really cool to see her live. That day out with my first coach, I was so excited for the day. I think that was a really special time in my life, a memory that I'll always have."
Throughout her glittering 27-year career, Williams transcended the game of tennis by showcasing a level of power and athleticism that had never previously been seen. It helped her achieve an unparalleled level of dominance and to still be active and competing all these years later, especially taking her injuries, health issues and pregnancy into account, is a testament to the star’s love for the sport.
She also blazed a trail off the court and has set a supreme example, especially for people of colour and women all over the world. Raducanu previously labelled Williams an inspiration and hailed the great legacy she has carved out for herself. “Her career is incredible,” the teen said. “She’s achieved so much so to see her around during this US Open swing is really inspiring. She keeps playing because she obviously loves the game.
"The longevity of her career is something that a lot of the players, especially me, can aspire to. She definitely changed the game. There’s never been someone who’s dominated like her.” Late last year, Serena along with sister Venus praised the likes of Raducanu and Naomi Osaka and stressed their importance to the sport and its future. “They’re achieving great things. We’re very happy for them and they’re great for tennis,” they told BBC Radio 5 Live.
The pair raised the bar in women’s tennis for the likes of Raducanu to aspire to, and it would certainly be a huge feather in her cap if she is able to defeat Williams later on, and it could spark an uptick in form ahead of her second appearance at the US Open later this month.
