NEW York and the rest of the world is currently being swept up in Emma Raducanu fever after the 18-year-old's historic journey to become US Open Champion.

That impact is also being felt in Wrexham. The town's tennis centre experiencing a wave of new interest for those - especially children - who have been inspired by Emma.

Raducanu’s 6-4 6-3 victory over fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in the final made her the first British woman since Virginia Wade, who was watching from the stands, 44 years ago to win a slam singles title, and the first in New York since Wade in 1968.

A little over three months ago Emma was a full-time pupil completing her A-levels, with competitive tennis having taken a back seat for more than a year.

It's making people think anything is possible for the 18-year-old. And, more importantly for the centre in Wrexham and its team of coaches, inspiring an interest in the sport that they hope will continue.

 

Wrexham Tennis Centre - coaches Craig Salisbury and Max Enston.

Wrexham Tennis Centre - coaches Craig Salisbury and Max Enston.

 

Operations manager at Wrexham Tennis Centre Jenny Broughall said there has been a noticeable increase in interest in the sport and the centre following Emma's unprecedented path to victory.

She said the late call to televise the final on Channel Four, served an ace in terms of raising the profile of tennis.

After the high-profile career of Andy Murray, Jenny said it was great to have a young, female champion who could be a role model to girls in all sports as well as tennis.

The centre in Wrexham has a history of nurturing players and coaches.

Matt James trained there when he was a player, a career that saw him play at Wimbledon as a junior, and he still returns to the centre to play matches and tournaments.

Matt, from Sychdyn, is one of the coaches that has guided Emma in recent years.

Matt worked with Raducanu full-time for just over two years, honing her game for senior tennis and helping her take her first steps on the professional tour before taking up a role as the Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre Coach last October.

He was part of Raducanu’s team at Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association supports Emma through its Pro Scholarship Programme.

 

Wrexham Tennis Centre - young players Fin Moreton, Harvey Gillanders and Ethan Hunt.

Wrexham Tennis Centre - young players Fin Moreton, Harvey Gillanders and Ethan Hunt.

 

During the Leader's visit to Wrexham Tennis Centre this week, young players were put through their paces with an emphasis on fun.

Running zig-zags and even a game of balloon tennis started the session.

Coach Craig Salisbury said in the past parents had questioned why their children didn't play tennis for the whole session. But, he explained, teaching youngsters how to move around the court instilled fundamental skills that can be used in tennis or any other sport they may take an interest in.

 

Great Britains Emma Raducanu in action during the womens singles final on day twelve of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows- Corona Park, New York. Picture date: Saturday September 11, 2021..

Great Britain's Emma Raducanu in action during the women's singles final on day twelve of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows- Corona Park, New York. Picture date: Saturday September 11, 2021..

 

Fellow coach, Max Enston said: "Some of the things we look for when kids first come through the door is things you would see in all sports, such as throwing a ball. Then we try to build on that, things like balancing, core skills you would see in any athlete. Can you catch? Can you balance? Can you run? Can you change direction? Those core principles are the things we look for and encourage. We can build them up and build a stronger athlete from there."

 

Wrexham Tennis Centre.

Wrexham Tennis Centre.

 

Find out more about the centre at www.wrexhamtenniscentre.co.uk