Emma Raducanu praises ‘inspirational’ Serena Williams after thrashing her tennis idol

Emmra Raducanu insisted she was honoured to share a court with Serena Williams after thrashing her idol in Cincinnati.

In what was the likely first and last meeting between the current US Open title holder and the legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion, Raducanu simply overpowered her opponent.

Williams, 40, struggled to find consistency in just her fourth match of the season, giving up 12 unforced errors while making just 11 winners in the first round of the Western and Southern Open.

Meanwhile, the 10th-seeded Brit settled in to her rhythm early, breaking Williams twice in the opening set before racing away in the second to claim her 12th win of the season.

‘I think we all need to just honour Serena and her amazing career,’ Raducanu said on court after the match. ‘I’m so grateful for the experience of being able to play her and for our careers to cross over.

‘Everything that she’s achieved is so inspirational and it was a true honour to share the court with her.’

On the significance of her victory, she later added: ‘I don’t really think it has sunk in and I kind of know these experiences don’t really sink in.

‘Tonight I kind of came off court to do my press so I haven’t had the time to really be with the team and stuff and relish the moment. Of course playing Serena she’s such a legend it was amazing just to share the court with her.’

Raducanu has been forced to acclimatise to the glare of the spotlight quickly over the course of her headline-grabbing career so far, but the attention her maiden match against the soon-to-be retired Williams caught her by surprise.

She said: ‘To be honest I couldn’t really escape the match I opened YouTube I was watching highlights of myself and the first thing that pops up is me and Serena.

‘I