The fairytale run of Emma Raducanu was cemented in tennis history when the 18-year-old on Saturday clinched the US Open women’s singles title after defeating Canadian Leylah Fernandez in finals and went on to become the youngest Grand Slam winner since Maria Sharapova at 2004 Wimbledon.

Raducanu entered the tournament as a qualifier, ranked 150th in the world, and stormed through the tournament without dropping a single set, the first player since Serena Williams in 2014 to do so in the US Open.

Her incredible victory and more so the first Grand Slam final featuring two teenagers since the 1999 US Open sent social media buzzing. Congratulatory messages poured in for both the finalists but especially so for Raducanu and her incredible achievement.

Manchester United and England football star Marcus Rashford congratulated the Briton on her comeback victory. 

Meanwhile, British comedian Andy Zaltzman wrote: “That is one of the greatest moments in British sport history. A mindboggling achievement, in a mesmerically brilliant match by both players.”

It’s hard to argue, given the fact that Raducanu is now the first British woman to win a Grand Slam trophy since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios appreciated the efforts put in by both the teenagers.

English footballing legend Gary Lineker too had kind words for Raducanu. “First time in my life I’ve ever tweeted whilst on air but my goodness what a performance, what a triumph, what an amazing young woman. Congratulations @EmmaRaducanu on a truly staggering achievement. US Open winner at 18 without losing a set. Extraordinarily fabulous,” he wrote on Twitter.

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Congratulations also poured in from former tennis players. Gabriela Sabatini, the former Grand Slam winner, tweeted: “Congratulations to the new @usopen champion @EmmaRaducanu and runner-up @leylahfernandez for this fantastic tournament and for giving us high-level of tennis and contagious smiles.”  

Tennis legend Rod Laver tweeted: “Well done Emma Raducanu, the first of many duels with Leylah Fernandez. I’ve no doubt many more majors await for both of you. Another historic moment at the US Open.”

Well, we hope the same too. 

Meanwhile, at 5-3, while Raducanu was serving for the match, she slid on the court chasing a ball to her backhand side, bloodying her left knee. A trainer came out to put a white bandage on the cut and, during a delay of more than four minutes, Fernandez spoke to chair umpire Marijana Veljovic.

Reacting to a few comments on social media surrounding the event, former World No. 1 tennis player Andy Roddick posted: “Everyone trying to kill joy by overreacting to the stoppage in play to stop the knee bleeding, just stop …. It’s not even Emma’s call. They will not allow active bleeding while on court. Had to be addressed. Out of her control. This match won’t be defined by that. Just stop.”

Raducanu’s victory also got a bit of a royal touch when Queen Elizabeth II herself congratulated the young Brit. “It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication. I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players,” the Royal Family wrote in an official statement.