British tennis must use Emma Raducanu success, says Andy Murray, ‘to make sure it’s not another huge wait’ for grand slam

The former world number one says tennis’ image of being ‘a rich person’s sport’ can be unattractive to parents

‘I never really liked it when all of the ex-British players were always wading in’, says Murray when asked to give teen advice

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British tennis player Emma Raducanu at the awarding ceremony after the 2021 US Open women's singles final against Leylah Fernandez of Canada. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:59am, 22 Sep 2021Updated: 11:59am, 22 Sep 2021

British tennis must capitalise on Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph and make the sport more accessible to ensure the wait for another grand slam champion is not too long, former world number one Andy Murray said.

Raducanu did not drop a set throughout the tournament in New York this month as she beat Leylah Fernandez to become the first British woman to win a major singles title for 44 years.

Murray himself ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a male grand slam champion when he overcame Novak Djokovic in the 2012 final at Flushing Meadows.

“For a country that hosts the biggest tennis tournament in the world and certainly not lacking in money, that’s not really good enough,” Murray, who will play in the Moselle Open in Metz later on Tuesday, told reporters, referring to the Wimbledon championships.

“Now should be an opportunity to try to make sure it’s not another huge wait. They need to try to take the opportunity.”