‘She’s put Bromley on the map’: Locals in leafy London suburb react to Emma Raducanu’s incredible win

The teenage sensation has taken the tennis world by storm, but her meteoric rise to the top of the game came as no surprise to those in her hometown who saw her promise, writes Daniel Keane

Emma Raducanu lifts the US Open trophy (AFP/Getty)

A little under an hour from central London, down a leafy cul-de-sac and through a maze of football pitches, a star was born on the courts of Bromley Tennis Centre.

The place where teenage sensation Emma Raducanu first picked up a tennis racket was fizzing with excitement on Sunday following the 18-year-old’s triumph over Leylah Fernandez in the final of the US Open, some 3,459 miles away at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City.

Emma Wanostrocht, the centre’s business manager, tells The Independent it was “no surprise” Raducanu had soared to the top after watching her train as a child. Raducanu joined the centre aged nine and trained between 10 and 15 hours a week, while also studying full time at Newstead Wood School, conveniently situated next to the tennis courts.

“You would watch her next to other players on the court and it was obvious she was on another level,” Wanostrocht says. “She has incredible natural talent but it’s also her work ethic that got her where she is today.

People play tennis at Bromley Tennis Centre in Orpington this week (Reuters)

“As she progressed through the tournament you could see the growing confidence in the way she played. Knowing what Emma’s like as a person – very calm and measured – I expected nothing less on the court.

“She’s incredibly polite, elegant and holds herself so well. She really has a maturity beyond her years. Sometimes when people become famous it goes to their head – that has never happened with her.”

Wanostracht says Raducanu’s success marked a watershed moment for women’s tennis. “For the UK last night, for everyone to be at home watching tennis is a turning point for the sport. Women’s tennis has too often been the backbench to the men’s side – this will show people it is an exciting game in itself,” she says.

Raducanu’s name appears on the winners board at the centre, where she first picked up a racket (Reuters)

Despite producing the biggest up and coming star in the game, Wanostracht stresses that the centre welcomes everyone regardless of their tennis ability.

“Making Grand Slam champions is amazing though it’s not our primary goal,” she says. “But it’s so exciting to know that homegrown sport is thriving. There will be kids now that think ‘maybe I could have a go at tennis’ after seeing Emma win last night.”

Born in Canada to a Chinese mother and Romanian father, Raducanu moved to Britain aged two and settled in Orpington. Local residents say her success has brought a surge of new interest in the area.

Julie, 43, lives a five-minute walk from the tennis centre and showed her support by sticking two posters of the tennis sensation on her front window with the message: “Go Emma!”

“We held a tennis party last night for the final with my two brothers and my mum. All four of us used to work as officials at Wimbledon and tennis has always been a part of our life,” she tells The Independent.

A young Raducanu on the courts in Orpington (Bromley Tennis Centre)

“Emma Raducanu has definitely put Bromley on the map. I put the poster of her up just before the semi-final because I thought it would be nice for kids at the tennis centre to see that the area is behind Emma.

“It just shows with hard work and dedication to your sport you can do anything. My son plays football so I hope it inspires him!”

Tom Young, 86, awoke to the sound of film crews driving past his cul-de-sac opposite the tennis centre.

“I’m so proud that she’s from this area and seeing her win at such a young age is great,” he tells The Independent. “When I was 18, I had just started working in Boots and didn’t think about doing much more than that!

Bromley sits on the southeastern edge of London (Alan Stanton)

“I’ve lived here for 44 years and the centre has been great. It seems to be producing so many talented youngsters. We’re expecting big things to come from Emma.”

Suresh, who works at Anbu’s Convenience Store near the secondary school, says that Raducanu’s success is already leading to a surge in interest in tennis in the area.

“People here are really happy. I’ve seen a lot of young people in the area carrying tennis rackets recently so it’s clear she’s inspiring the youngsters,” the 35-year-old says. “I think this will definitely make them want to take up tennis.”

Already a Grand Slam champion at 18, Emma Raducanu’s place in the history books is secure – but Wanostrocht is confident her journey has just begun.

“I think we can expect big things from Emma for many years to come,” she says. “This isn’t a flash in the plan – she is a force to be reckoned with.”