Emma Raducanu became an instant global superstar last year when she stormed to victory at the US Open and a new study has found that her name generated eight million UK Google searches in 2021.
Research from Futures Sport, in association with the Women’s Sport Trust, revealed that the Brit generated just 250 searches last May, but this figure then skyrocketed in size following her rise to fame.
Raducanu was ranked 343rd in the world at the start of 2021 but ended the season ranked inside the top 20 –– becoming the new British number one in the process.
The Brit first came to prominence at Wimbledon when she reached the fourth round, before retiring with breathing difficulties in her match against Ajla Tomljanovic.
While this raised questions over Raducanu’s ‘mental toughness,’ these questions were soon put to bed when the teenager won 10 matches in succession as a qualifier to win her maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in September.
The US Open final was broadcast on free-to-air television for people in the UK and had a peak audience of 9.2 million viewers on Channel 4.
After her historic triumph, Raducanu was catapulted into the limelight and signed brand deals with Tiffany & Co. and Dior.
More endorsements soon followed and the 19-year-old has now partnered with Evian and British Airways as well.
The Brit was even spotted in attendance at the esteemed Met Gala, just days after her victory in New York –– suggesting she is on her way to becoming an A-List celebrity.
Despite her success off the court of late, Raducanu’s performances in tournaments since her triumph have been underwhelming by her high standards.
This year, the Brit suffered a second-round exit in the Australian Open against Danka Kovinic, though she fought valiantly after struggling with blisters on her hand.
Now, the world number 13 is looking ahead to the rest of the hardcourt season and is confirmed to be competing at the Abierto Akron Zapopan in Guadalajara, which starts on February, 21st.
The Women’s Sport Trust study also found that interest in women’s sport, in general, grew massively in 2021 –– attracting nearly 33 million viewers.
The Hundred cricket tournament and the FA Women’s Super League were the two leading competitions in terms of TV figures, with 11 million viewers combined.