When Emma Raducanu reached the third round in Montreal last month, she told the cheering crowd: “I was actually born in Canada, so for me, it means so much to be able to do well here.” The world No. 39 has lived in the UK since she was two years old and is currently the British No. 1, but there are several places close to her heart.
Raducanu was born in Toronto, while her father, Ion, hails from Bucharest, Romania, and her mum, Renee, is from Shenyang, China. While the former US Open champion loves representing Britain, she got candid about her mixed background and how she often “questions” her identity.
“I would say it’s funny when people ask where you’re from. Obviously, I feel British. I’ve grown up there,” Raducanu told the Guardian.
“But there are certain things, the way I think, I don’t think I am completely. So you have a little question about your identity.
“But I try not to read too much into it and try to just take the best from all the different worlds that I’ve been exposed to and grown up in.”
Raducanu has spent plenty of time in her parents’ home countries. One significant trip to China came when she was forced to end her 2023 season early to have surgeries on both of her wrists and one elbow, and she picked up some new hobbies.
The world No. 39 added: “I kind of discovered the more artistic side – the piano, the painting, the reading, the philosophy, all of those things.
“I really think it opened my eyes to another world. Now I’m kind of seeing how I can find an area where those two intersect, and have the creative side but also have the quantitative side.”
While Raducanu may sometimes question her identity, she is always proud to represent her country.
The 22-year-old will be part of Britain’s squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen next month, alongside Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, and Jodie Burrage. Team GB face Japan in the quarter-final on September 18.
Raducanu has an overall record of 6-1 in BJK Cup matches. Her only loss came to Marketa Vondrousova when she received her first call-up in 2022.
The 2021 US Open champion was forced to pull out of Britain’s qualifier ties in April. But at last year’s BJK Cup Finals, she won all three of her singles matches, though the team lost in the semi-finals.
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