Tennis star Emma Raducanu has told the Standard how “there’s no place like home” - and paid tribute to the support she gets from Londoners.
The Bromley teenager made history last year by becoming the first ever qualifier and the first British woman in 53 years to win the US Open.
On Thursday night she swapped the tennis court for a night out in Shoreditch for the launch of Evian’s new sparkling drink.
She told the Standard: “It’s great to be back in the capital, there really is no place like home. I’ve always had so much support here and its been so valuable to my journey – I can’t wait to play at Wimbledon this summer too. “
The 19-year-old, who this week was nominated for the Laureus’ Breakthrough of the Year award, wore a damson-coloured Dior cocktail dress for her big night out at at Protein Studios.
She added: “I feel very fortunate to be kicking off the year with Evian at their amazing art installation with Sara Shakeel here in Shoreditch to celebrate the launch of Evian sparkling water.
“It’s only open until Saturday so I hope as many Londoners as possible are able to head down to experience it.”
Raducanu tops the list of decorated British talent in the running for honours at the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Russian men's tennis star Daniil Medvedev also on that shortlist is also nominated in the Breakthrough of the Year category.
Tom Daley is on the shortlist for the World Comeback of the Year award, having claimed Olympic gold in the men's synchronised 10m platform diving event at the Tokyo Games.
Just eight weeks after knee surgery, Daley linked up with Matty Lee to grab glory in Japan.
Skateboarder Sky Brown suffered multiple skull fractures in a training fall in May 2020, but recovered to become Britain's youngest Olympic medallist, aged just 13.
Mark Cavendish hit back from depression to equal Eddy Merckx's Tour de France stage victories of 34, and the 36-year-old completes the British interest in Laureus' comeback gong.
Dame Sarah Storey became Britain's most successful Paralympic athlete by winning all three of her events in Tokyo to take her tally to 17 gold medals.
The 44-year-old intends to push on to Paris 2024, but in the meantime has been nominated for Laureus' Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.
Bethany Shriever is among the nominees for the World Action Sports Award, after becoming the first woman to win gold at both the BMX World Championships and the Olympics. The winners will be announced in April.
