All you need to know about British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s parents

The British teenager has become a star on the court but has credited her success to her mother and father, whose different backgrounds have helped to keep her grounded and remain disciplined

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Emma Raducanu set for Billie Jean King Cup debut against Czech Republic

Emma Raducanu made tennis history last year after becoming the first qualifier to win the US Open, as she went through 10 rounds in order to achieve one of the greatest ever sporting achievements at just 18-years-old.

Since then, Raducanu has become one of the most recognised names within the sport and is the current British No.1, while she ranks as the world’s No. 18, but has previously credited her parents and her upbringing as the reasons behind her success.

Here is all you need to know about the 19-year-old’s parents ahead of her appearance at the Stuttgart Open on Tuesday, April 19, as she goes in search of further achievements in the early stages of her career.

Who are Emma Raducanu’s parents?

Emma Raducanu may compete under the British flag but neither of her parents are actually of British descent, with the 19-year-old gaining her citizenship after moving here at the age of just two-years-old, after being born in Ontario, Canada, on November 13, 2002.

Her father, Ian Raducanu, is of Romanian descent, while her mother, Renee, is Chinese. The couple are finance industry professionals and moved to the UK just two years after having their daughter, and currently live in Bromley, Greater London – where Raducanu began playing tennis at the age of five at the Bromley Tennis academy.

Her father encouraged her to try different hobbies at an early age and she played several sports alongside tennis, such as ballet, swimming, horse riding, golf, skiing and even motocross. Ian would hit tennis balls with his daughter in the streets during the Covid lockdowns, while he remains an important part of her team and had a say on her coaching situation after the US Open.

How long will it take for Emma Raducanu to become the women’s world no.1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Sticking to her roots

Raducanu has previously credited her Chinese and Romanian roots for helping her remain grounded, while she says her mum’s family are to thank for her drive and discipline. In the past, she has referred to the “good self-belief” of her Chinese family as a reason behind her own self-confidence.

Although she shares a special connection with her parents, she believes their ‘strict’ ways have helped her to become the person she is and form her good will and mentality. She previously said: “They have been pushy to an extent. Not just in tennis but in everything. I think that I’ve developed that mentality since a young age.”

The 19-year-old has a special connection with Canada, where she grew up, and more so Romania, where she visits her paternal grandmother at least twice a year. “My grandma, Mamiya, still lives in central Bucharest. I go back a couple times a year, stay with her, see her. It’s really nice. I love the food, to be honest. I mean, the food is unbelievable. And my grandma’s cooking is also something special. I do have ties to Bucharest,” she said.

Impact on her current career

Raducanu has often spoken about the importance of her father, Ian, who is known for his no-nonsense approach and is not one to mince his words. He has helped to shape her career and has hired and fired her coaches, with his involvement in her coaching following the US Open a prime example.

Her parents are more often than not seen at her matches, supporting from the stands, but the biggest regret for Raducanu was not having them attend her remarkable US Open final triumph, due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time, meaning they had to watch her on TV.

Entry into America required a special exemption visa at the time, and coupled with the fact that Raducanu’s progression in the tournament was slightly unexpected, there were a number of factors to overcome, but nonetheless, her parents continue to support her at every possible opportunity.