Emma Raducanu took the tennis world by storm at the US Open in 2021, becoming the first player in history to win a Grand Slam after coming through qualifying.
Raducanu tore through the draw at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set, earning victories over Maria Sakkari and Belinda Bencic en route to the final.
The Briton’s opponent in the championship match was Leylah Fernandez, who she defeated 6-4, 6-3 to hoist the trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was a tough ending to a phenomenal tournament for Fernandez, who had beaten defending champion Naomi Osaka, three-time major winner Angelique Kerber, and second seed Aryna Sabalenka in her campaign.
Following the loss, the Canadian faced the media and reflected on her maiden Grand Slam final.
Leylah Fernandez’s reaction to losing the 2021 US Open final
Fernandez said in her press conference: “It was definitely a very tough match for both of us.
“I unfortunately made one too many mistakes in key moments, and she took advantage of it. Emma played a great tournament, so congratulations to her and her team.”
Despite the defeat, the runner-up was able to take a positive from her performance.
She explained: “There’s one thing that really surprised me was that the more that I’m more outgoing on court and that I try to get the crowd involved, the more I’m playing well.
“Usually when I was younger, I’d try to be as calm as possible, just like [Roger] Federer.
“I’m glad that I’ve discovered that of myself, that I play a lot better when I’m more, not motivated, but when I’m more outgoing and when I’m using the crowd to my advantage.”
Leylah Fernandez said she would carry the 2021 US Open final loss ‘for a very long time’
Fernandez continued: “Right now it has sunk in. I am still disappointed.
“I think this loss, I’m going to carry it for a very long time. I think it will motivate me to do better in training, better for the next opportunity I get.
“But, no, I’m very happy with myself, with the way I competed, and the way I played, the way I acted on court the past two weeks. I’ve improved a lot, not only tennis-wise but emotionally and mentally.
“I’m happy. Next year, hopefully, it will be just as good.”
Since 2021, Fernandez’s best result at a Grand Slam event was a quarter-final finish at Roland Garros in 2022.
Having just won the Washington Open, though, she looks to be back to her very best, and could possibly cause some upsets at the US Open this year.
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