Emma Raducanu said she felt playing Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka was a great chance to learn some valuable lessons and get some experience. In the Cincinnati first round, Raducanu saw off 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams 6-4 6-0.
In her following match, Raducanu beat another Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Azarenka 6-0 6-2. Raducanu was playing against Williams and Azarenka for the first time. “I think that it’s when you are playing two great champions, again, you feel like it’s just great to share the court with them and you take whatever lessons, and you just really cherish the opportunity when you are playing such great players,” Raducanu said, per Sportskeeda.
Raducanu.: Williams is the best serve, Azarenka has some incredile returns
“I knew I had to be on my game, but I kind of also backed myself and my own game,” Raducanu added. “I think that starting the point is obviously really important against both of them, because, yeah, like Vika has got incredible returns and Serena is probably the best serve in the game.”
Raducanu put an end to Williams’ Cincinnati run and now only one tournament is left to be played out on Williams’ schedule. After beating Williams – who is set to retire from tennis at this year’s US Open – Raducanu showed respect for Serena by saying that she and her stunning career definitely deserve to be honored and celebrated.
“I mean the atmosphere tonight was amazing and to play with Serena, I mean for sure even when you guys were cheering for her I was all for it. Well, I think we all need to just honour Serena and her amazing career,” Raducanu said.
The match between Raducanu and Williams was a meeting between two US Open champions. Williams became a Grand Slam champion after winning the 1999 US Open, while Raducanu lifted her first Grand Slam title at last year’s US Open.
