‘She changed tennis’ – US Open champion Emma Raducanu on ‘inspirational’ Serena Williams

Emma Raducanu believes Serena Williams “changed the game” after spending two decades at the top of women’s tennis. Williams, who hinted at retirement from tennis on Tuesday, is the most successful tennis player in the Open Era with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and has spent 319 weeks as the world No.

1. Ad After winning her first singles match in 14 months at the Canadian Open, an interview Vogue conducted with Williams was released where the American admitted “something’s got to give” and that she was “evolving away from tennis”.

US OpenCorretja 'very sad' to see Serena retire, but hails incredible career11 HOURS AGO “She definitely changed the game,” Raducanu told the press following her first round defeat to Camila Giorgi at the Canadian Open. “To dominate that, there’s not really been someone who’s dominated like her in the woman’s game so she really did change a lot in that respect.” Williams is set to retire after the US Open, which takes place from August 29 – September 11, having turned professional in 1995.

Raducanu is in the early stages of her career and although the 19-year-old says she has never had a conversation with Williams, she is still inspired by her. “It’s incredible her career that she’s achieved so much,” said Raducanu.

“To see her around in this US swing is really inspiring. She keeps playing because she obviously loves the game and that longevity of her career is something that a lot of the players, and me, all aspire to achieve as well.” Corretja 'very sad' to see Serena retire, but hails incredible career 'I should have had 30-plus Grand Slams,' says Williams as she prepares to retire Raducanu loses Toronto opener in straight sets to rampant Giorgi Serena Williams’ 23 Grand Slam titles 7 x