British world No. 210 Katie Swan says Emma Raducanu’s stunning US Open run has inspired other British players to believe that everything is possible. Last year, an 18-year-old Raducanu wrote tennis history when she became the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam.
Raducanu was ranked 150th in the world during the US Open as she won a total of 10 matches to win her maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. Swan, 23, has never been ranked inside the top-150 but she is hopeful the best is yet to come for her.
“What Emma achieved last year was incredible. The fact that she was able to do that, it really inspired a lot of us and made us believe that something like that was possible,” Swan told BBC Radio Bristol. “The grass season always seems to be a time where everyone always enjoys themselves, likes playing in front of a home crowd and kind of all spurring each other on.
We all train together as well so if you see one of your mates that you train with start doing well in an event you start to believe if they’re doing it why can’t I do that as well. It’s like a snowball effect.”
Swan believes she is making a progress
Swan was granted a main draw wildcard into Wimbledon but didn’t take the advantage of the opportunity as she suffered a first round defeat. Swan made a positive start to her Wimbledon opener but Marta Kostyuk stormed back to win in three sets 4-6 6-4 6-4.
“I think the last few weeks especially has shown me I really have the level to keep pushing on and I’ve got some big goals and I’m just looking forward to what’s coming,” Swan said. “Not just Wimbledon but a couple of weeks of grass tournaments that I was able to play I put in some good performances and was able to show that my game matched up with these top 100 players. I had a top 50 win as well, which was great.”
