British tennis superstar, Emma Raducanu has become the youngest female recipient of an MBE ever following her incredible US Open victory at Flushing Meadows in September.
The then 18-year-old had burst onto the scene with a magnificent performance in the final, as she defeated Canadian – and fellow teenager – Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to become champion at just 18 years old.
Three months from her record-breaking win, Raducanu was recognised as she won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award, seeing off the likes of Tom Daley and Tyson Fury.
She also made even more sporting history, as she became the first female athlete to win the prize since Zara Phillips in 2006.
However, the accolades for her historic breakthrough campaign have not stopped, as she will now begin 2022 by being awarded an MBE alongside some sport’s biggest names.
Alongside Raducanu, 78 Olympians and Paralympians have been recognised for their efforts to sport and are also included on the list, including married couple Jason and Laura Kenny who will receive a knighthood and damehood respectively.
