Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, will be among the players taking part in the first edition of the ATX Open. She joins Danielle Collins, Sloane Stephens and Peyton Stearns in committing to play the Hologic WTA Tour 250 tournament from February 27 to March 5 at Westwood Country Club.
“We are delighted that Emma, the youngest Grand Slam champion in the game today, is coming to the ATX Open,” said Christo Van Rensburg, DropShot Series Tournament Director. “We look forward to having her join Danielle, Sloane and Peyton for our inaugural tournament, and we’re so excited to welcome them to Austin in less than a month.” Ranked World No.
150 entering the 2021 US Open, Raducanu had to pass three qualifying rounds to join the main draw. Her title was the first by a qualifier at a Grand Slam, and she did it without dropping a set in any of her 10 matches in New York.
At 18, Raducanu was the youngest to win a slam since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon at age 17 in 2004. She was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year for the 2021 season. In 2022, Raducanu rose as high as No. 10 in WTA rankings and reached the semifinals in Seoul and added quarterfinals in Stuttgart and Washington, D.C.
Prior to her US Open triumph, Raducanu had reached the fourth round in her Wimbledon debut. Born in Toronto, the 20-year-old represents Great Britain after moving to the London area when she was two. Raducanu is the second US Open winner at the ATX Open, joining 2017 US Open champion Stephens.
Stephens, winner of seven titles in her career, has risen to No. 3 in the world. She has also reached three other finals, including the French Open and the WTA Finals in 2018. Collins also has Grand Slam finals experience, herself being a finalist at the 2022 Australian Open.
McEnroe opens up on Raducanu
John McEnroe wanted to defend Emma Raducanu, whose career has been skating since her victory at the US Open in 2021. Big Mac believes in her and he thinks she will be able to return to the highest level.
“I think last year was overwhelming, obviously. She has gone through a lot of changes in her life and now she has been struggling with injuries. Everyone in tennis hopes that she can deal with what is happening to her and that she will get back to the level she showed at the US Open.
We all want to see her fit and enjoy the challenge that comes her way, I’m sure she can have a great year. I wish Emma the best. You don’t win a Grand Slam by chance. She’s a great player and she can come back and fight again.”
