Emma Raducanu’s astounding victory at the 2021 US Open created ripples in the tennis world, marking one of the most iconic runs in the sport’s history. The 18-year-old British sensation’s achievement was unprecedented, particularly given her qualifier status, making her the first in history to clinch a Grand Slam title from the qualifying rounds. However, Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk has stirred the debate by suggesting that Raducanu’s draw was comparatively easier than that of her opponent, Leylah Fernandez.

Kostyuk, currently competing at the 2024 Australian Open, where she is set to face Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, shared her perspective on the varying challenges players can encounter in a tournament draw. She emphasized the uniqueness of each event, stating, “Every day and every slam and every tournament is so unique and so different. We play in different conditions, different balls, different… Everything is different opponents. Everything is different. I think a lot depends.”

The Ukrainian player highlighted the specific example of the 2021 US Open final, where Raducanu faced Fernandez. Kostyuk acknowledged the contrasting draws, noting, “Someone can have a very easy draw, and someone can have extremely difficult. I have an easiest example of when Leylah and Emma were playing the final, what draw Leylah had and what draw Emma had. Emma, no offense, but Leylah was really fighting for her life every single match.”

Fernandez, indeed, encountered stronger opposition on her journey to the final, facing the likes of Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina, and Aryna Sabalenka, all ranked inside the Top 10 at that time. Meanwhile, Raducanu’s path to the final included one player ranked outside the Top 100, five players ranked inside the Top 50, but only two from the Top 20, and none from the Top 10 of the WTA Rankings.

The debate surrounding the difficulty of draws and the subsequent impact on a player’s journey to the final is not uncommon in tennis discussions. While Fernandez faced a more formidable lineup en route, Raducanu’s triumph lies in her ability to navigate her matches successfully, ultimately claiming victory in the final—the pinnacle of importance in any tournament.

As tennis enthusiasts continue to reflect on the historic 2021 US Open, the controversy surrounding Raducanu’s draw adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Regardless of the differing paths, Raducanu’s accomplishment stands as an extraordinary feat, solidifying her place in tennis history as a Grand Slam champion. As the sport evolves, debates over draw complexities will remain a part of the broader discussion about the unpredictable and captivating nature of tennis tournaments.

Emma Raducanu in 2024

Ranked no.296, Raducanu played her last match on the 18^th of January when she lost to world no.94 Yafan Wang 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the 2^nd round of the Australian Open (draw).

Currently, during this season Raducanu owns a compiled 2-2 match record.