Emma Raducanu’s replica US Open trophy will be paraded across the UK this year in a bid to inspire more young people to take up tennis. 

The 19-year-old became the first-ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam last year, after she stormed to victory at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set. 

US Open trophy to be on show 

Raducanu is the first British woman to win a major singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977 and is currently ranked number 12 in the world. 

In an attempt to celebrate this historic achievement, the LTA has now confirmed that a replica of her US Open trophy will be made available for public show around the UK. 

The LTA are keen to show off the silverware in an attempt to persuade youngsters to take up the game. 

Emma Raducanu
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada during their Women's Singles final match on Day Thirteen of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Chief executive Scott Lloyd said: “We have been talking to Wimbledon as well about how that can get some profile during the Championships.”

Raducanu is yet to confirm her summer schedule but is likely to compete at Wimbledon as well as other grass court events in the build-up to the third major of the season. 

Injury problems continuing 

Unfortunately, Raducanu has not been able to carry her inspired form in New York over to this season. 

The Brit has been plagued with injuries and has won just three matches so far in 2022. 

Raducanu led the Great Britain team against the Czech Republic in the Billie Jean King Cup at the weekend and won her first match against Tereza Martincova in straight sets. 

However, foot blisters hampered her second match against Marketa Vondrousova as she lost 6-1 6-1. 

There have been questions raised over the 19-year-old’s ability to cope with the physical demands of the tour but it appears the US Open champion is trying her best to fight through the pain. 

Emma Raducanu looks on during Billie Jean King Cup match

Prior to the start of the Billie Jean King Cup, Raducanu revealed her relentless training has led to her having no toenails. 

Nonetheless, the Brit still secured her first-ever professional victory on clay and can take positives from her performance against Martincova ahead of the French Open next month. 

When is Raducanu playing next? 

Raducanu is scheduled to play again this week at the Stuttgart Open and faces world number 156 Storm Sanders in the opening round on Tuesday. 

However, there is still a chance the Brit could pull out of the tournament if she fails to recover from the blisters on her body in time. 

The teenager has suffered repeated problems with blisters this season, including at the Australian Open, and it remains to be seen whether she can find a solution for this moving forwards. 

Raducanu is seeded eight for the event. Meanwhile, new world number one Iga Swiatek is also competing, along with Spain’s Paula Badosa and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka.