US Open champion Emma Raducanu chooses Li Na and Simona Halep as her idols

Ever since winning the US Open Emma Raducanu has been the talk of the town of the entire tennis fraternity. In her recent interview with CGTN Sports, the young Brit spoke on a lot of subjects starting from her US Open win, her multi-ethnic heritage to her tennis role models. Raducanu, who shares Chinese and Romanian ancestry, shared how she idolises Li Na and Simona Halep. The youngster highlighted how much she loves Halep’s playing style.

“I got a message from Simona Halep on direct message and it meant a lot to receive a note from her,” Raducanu said. “She’s achieved great things and she’s one of my role models that I’ve watched growing up. I love the way she plays.”

The 18-year-old then focused on Li Na and her mental strength and grit to fight till the very end. The Chinese tennis player was also known for her athleticism which even Raducanu is a fan of.

“Also, Li Na is one of my idols,” the Brit said. “I think the way she used to play was extremely aggressive and she had a great physicality that I’m still working towards. I think the mental strength she possessed is something I’ve always watched growing up and I hope I’m implementing it in my own game.”

The youngster highlighted how she has embraced Chinese culture. Her mother has taken her to China and there after seeing her cousins study for long hours would have motivated her. She is surely taking inspiration from the values of her culture which has taught her to work hard and remain resilient.

“I’m very proud of my heritage,” the teenager said. “I think my mom, with the Chinese culture, has a very good work ethic and is extremely hard-working. Going to China and seeing how my cousin would study 12-13 hours a day and would never complain; whenever I was having a tough time my mom would always remind me of that.”

“It’s very inspiring to see how hard-working and resilient they are [the Chinese],” Raducanu added. “I think it’s just bouncing back from tough times or losses and not complaining, not dwelling on it and getting back up – that is something that my mom has shown me and that all my relatives back in China have also shown me.”