Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu received her MBE from King Charles III at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old ended Great Britain’s 44-year wait for another women’s Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final to become the first British woman since Virginia Wade in 1977 to win a major honour.
Raducanu’s Flushing Meadows success came after she had progressed to the last 16 of the 2021 Wimbledon tournament, although she has struggled for form and injuries since.
Now ranked 75th in the world, Raducanu received her MBE from His Majesty on Tuesday and was “extremely grateful” to be recognised for her achievements.
“It’s been great to receive my honour today from his Majesty the King – I feel extremely grateful,” Raducanu said in a statement through her agent.
Raducanu’s US Open title defence ended in the first round to Alize Cornet in 2022, while she reached the second round of Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the French Open.
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The Brit’s standout result of the year came at the WTA 250 Korea Open, where she reached the semi-finals before retiring injured from her clash with Jelena Ostapenko.
Raducanu was unable to compete at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Great Britain due to a wrist injury, although the home favourites still reached the semi-finals before losing to Australia.