Emma Raducanu, 19, ‘to become youngest EVER MBE recipient
British tennis superstar, Emma Raducanu has become the youngest female recipient of an MBE ever following her incredible US Open victory at Flushing Meadows in September.
Raducanu became an overnight star following her victory in the final, as she defeated Canadian – and fellow teenager – Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to become champion at just 18 years old.
The youngster also became the first-ever qualifier to secure a Grand Slam title and failed to drop a set throughout the whole tournament on the way to her historic victory.
Three months after her record-breaking win, Raducanu was recognised as she won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
She also made even more sporting history, as she became the first female athlete to win the prize since Zara Phillips in 2006.
Raducanu’s year will culminate with her receiving an MBE from the Queen as the youngest female recipient of the award ever.
After winning SPOTY earlier in December Raducanu said: “To win, it’s really pretty amazing for me.
“I am really happy with this. I have always watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up, so I am really humbled to join the amazing past winners.
“I am also very happy for British tennis that we were able to get this award again.
“Thank you so much to the voters and all of the fans for all of the support I have received this past year. It has been absolutely insane.”
Alongside Raducanu, 78 Olympians and Paralympians have been recognised for their efforts to sport and are also included on the list, including married couple Jason and Laura Kenny who will receive a knighthood and damehood respectively.
