By Daily Sports on December 20, 2021

Emma Raducanu has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award to cap off a fairytale breakthrough season.

The 19-year-old made history at the US Open in September, becoming the first player – male or female – to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era having also gone through qualifying. Raducanu’s triumph saw her become the first British woman to win a Major since 1977, overcoming Leylah Fernandez in a historic final at Flushing Meadows.

The tournament came just two months after Raducanu’s WTA debut, and was just her second Grand Slam following Wimbledon earlier that summer.

“Thank you, it’s such an honour just to be amongst these nominees. Congrats to you and all your achievements,” Raducanu said upon receiving the award.

“I’m really happy with this, I’ve watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up and it’s an honour to be amongst those past winners. I’m happy for British tennis as well, and that we’ve managed to get this award... again!

“Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been insane. The energy this year playing at Wimbledon in front of my home crowd – that was something I’ve never felt before. I want to say thanks to my team, as well. Congrats to the other nominees’ teams as well, it’s a team effort.”

The teen won the award ahead of Tom Daley and Adam Peaty, who finished second and third respectively, with Tyson Fury, Raheem Sterling and Dame Sarah Storey the other nominees for the top award.

Earlier in the evening, England men’s football team was named Team of the Year and Gareth Southgate Coach of the Year following the Three Lions’ run to the final of Euro 2020.

Grand National-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore won the World Sport Star of the Year award, while 13-year-old Sky Brown was named Young Sports Personality of the Year after becoming the youngest athlete to represent Great Britain at a Summer Olympics, and Britain’s youngest Olympic medallist too. (Sports Mole)

•PHOTO: Raducanu

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 20, 2021

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