Raducanu named Sports Personality of the Year

Teenage US Open champion Emma Raducanu has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2021.

Raducanu, then 18, ended Britain's 44-year wait for a women's Grand Slam singles champion with her remarkable victory at Flushing Meadows, reports BBC.

Her fairytale win followed a run to the Wimbledon fourth round in July on her Grand Slam main draw debut.

In a public vote, diver Tom Daley placed second and swimmer Adam Peaty was third.

Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling, boxer Tyson Fury, and Great Britain's most successful Paralympian Sarah Storey were also shortlisted for the main award.

"It's such an honour just to be among these nominees. Congrats to you and all your achievements," Raducanu said.

"I'm really happy with this, I've watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up and it's an honour to be among those past winners.

"I'm happy for British tennis as well, and that we've managed to get this award...again!

"Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been insane. The energy this year playing at Wimbledon in front of my home crowd, that was something I've never felt before."

Now 19 and ranked British number one, Raducanu becomes the first female tennis player to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year since Virginia Wade in 1977 - the last British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Andy Murray was the last tennis player to win the award, with his third coming in 2016. Raducanu is the first female to win the award since Zara Phillips, now Tindall, in 2006.