China ties run deep for Raducanu

Newly crowned US Open champion stresses pride in Dongbei roots as popularity soars on social media

The new darling of tennis fans across the world, Emma Raducanu is embracing her soaring popularity in China as the magnitude of her major breakthrough sinks in.

The teenager shot to fame earlier this month by triumphing at the US Open in New York to become the first qualifier to ever win a major title. Yet, the 18-year-old Londoner, who was born in Canada to a Chinese mother and Romanian father, admits she is still struggling to get her head around her meteoric rise.

"I actually haven't really realized to what extent everything is happening, because when I landed home yesterday I just slept the whole day and I haven't left the house yet," Raducanu told China Daily in an exclusive online interview on Sept 17 after returning home to Bromley, southeast London. "So it'll be interesting to see what's awaiting me. I'm not sure."

Raducanu became Britain's first female Grand Slam winner in 44 years after beating fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez of Canada in straight sets at Flushing Meadows.

With her face plastered on billboards across the city, a whirlwind few days in New York ensued for Raducanu. She enjoyed a taste of celebrity life when she attended the star-studded Met Gala, before paying a visit to the New York Stock Exchange.