Emma Raducanu endured a torrid year on the tennis court, but she is ending 2022 in style after being awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III. The Bromley local attended an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today where she accepted the prestigious honour for her contributions to the sport.
The 20-year-old beamed with pride as she posed for pictures with her newest accolade and after the ceremony, her agent issued a statement on her behalf which read: "It's been great to receive my honour today from his Majesty the King - I feel extremely grateful."
Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith, who also received an MBE today, gushed over Raducanu and her success. "I think it is fantastic seeing a young person (achieve) the success that she had and I think obviously now she faces that incredibly challenging situation of coping with that success and coping also with disappointment,” she said.
"And I certainly think it is wonderful to see young people being praised and being rewarded and let's make sure we give every young person the opportunities so that they can develop their talents to the full."
The tennis sensation certainly looked the part as she donned a Dior demure black lace dress cinched with a chunky black leather belt, black Mary Jane heels and a dainty black boater. The full look was from Dior’s Cruise 2023 collection, which the brand unveiled at a glamorous runway show in Seville back in June.
Back in October 2021, a month after her US Open triumph, Raducanu was announced as an ambassador for the French fashion house and was named the face of both Maria Grazia Chiuri’s womenswear collections. “Maria Grazia’s work empowers women to feel confident in the iconic Dior cut, which I feel is very unique,” she told Vogue at the time.
Radcanu shocked the world when she captured the US Open last year as a qualifier without dropping a set. She was the first player to achieve that feat and became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977.
Wade was also the last British woman to win the US Open before Raducanu, way back in 1968. 2022 wasn’t so kind to Raducanu however, as she failed to win a title and saw her ranking plummet to 75.
She also struggled with injury as she began to adjust to the demands of her first full season on the WTA Tour. Looking ahead to 2023, she hired Andy Murray's former strength and conditioning coach Jez Green. This offseason, Raducanu has been working extremely hard in the gym as she is determined to get stronger and avoid many injuries and physical setbacks next year.
“What motivates me to keep training is the satisfaction I get after training and at the end of the day. I feel really proud for pushing myself, even if I might not have felt like it,” Raducanu explained.
“I’m really looking forward to another full year on tour. I just had my first one, and taking the lessons I’ve learnt this year and applying them on to the next one."
