Cover British tennis champion and HSBC’s global ambassador, Emma Raducanu, spoke with Tatler about the role of women in sport and more (Photo: Humphrey Ng / Tatler Hong Kong)
British tennis champion and HSBC’s global ambassador, Emma Raducanu, spoke with Tatler about the role of women in sport and more (Photo: Humphrey Ng / Tatler Hong Kong)
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The US Open-winning tennis star opens up on life, sports and her first visit to Hong Kong
At an exclusive event at The Upper House in early December, sponsored by HSBC, British tennis champion and HSBC’s global ambassador, Emma Raducanu wowed fans with her charisma and charm. She delighted the audience who gathered for the Tatler Hong Kong fireside chat in both Mandarin and English—her mother is from Shenyang, China and her father is Romanian—while she revealed her plans.
Emma was born in Toronto and raised in London, but has quickly developed an affection for Hong Kong and its welcoming people, many of whom are knowledgeable and passionate tennis fans and players.
“This is my first time in Hong Kong but I’ve heard from many people that [it’s] a very beautiful city,” Raducanu told the gathering in fluent Mandarin.
The tennis champ is not one to rest on her laurels. Since bursting onto the scene by sensationally winning the 2021 US Open—incredibly, it was only her second major tournament—she has carved out a niche for herself on the tennis circuit, reaching a career-high number one in the British rankings.
Above (Video: Nazareth Lee)
Staying in the moment has served the 21-year-old well. Switching to English, Raducanu said, “When I focus on what I’m trying to do, it takes away my focus from the negative.”
The elite athlete played many sports growing up, including motocross, karting, golf and football, and continues to follow all of them as a fan. But tennis remains her first love.
Raducanu hails former Chinese tennis star Li Na as one of her sporting heroes. She identifies Li’s mental toughness and integrity as having shaped her own journey—and helped to break down barriers for women in the sport.
HSBC and Tatler Hong Kong hosted the fireside chat at The Upper House (Photo: Humphrey Ng / Tatler Hong Kong)
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Through the ups and downs, she has remained a well-grounded person and cites her parents, both from academic families, as a source of inspiration. Being receptive to new challenges has become a hallmark of her success.
She told the room, “Just keeping an open mind—having an inquisitive, curious mindset—is something that I was always taught to do.”
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