Written by By Sarah Sweet, CNN
As Maria Sharapova puts her victorious U.S. Open title to good use with a new publicist, returning tennis star Emma Raducanu celebrates at home by sharing the spotlight with the Duchess of Cambridge.
Earlier this month, Raducanu — who was celebrating her 28th birthday, before defeating Venus Williams in the first round of the Japan Open — met the Duchess to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in Birmingham, Britain.
The Slovakian tennis pro also played a match with the Royal, drawing praise from fans and peers alike.
British tennis player and frequent commentator John McEnroe, for one, said on Twitter: “Great meeting Emma Raducanu… loved her smile, laughed together during set. Warm and lovely person.”
Raducanu was another recipient of her own “Presented by”: Tennis Leagues personality of the year for 2017.
Raducanu in front of the Duchess of Cambridge. Credit: Graham Turner
Following the tournament, she celebrated in style. Raducanu hosted a drinks party at the Rispero hotel in Tokyo, which included a performance by English singer-songwriter Paloma Faith.
One attendee of the party was Brooklyn Beckham, son of English footballer David Beckham and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Before its launch, the pop-up restaurant, decked out in gold leaf, beaded ceilings and gilded mirrors, was the subject of grumbles on social media, as is customary for pop-up pop-ups.
One Twitter user compared the food to “nightmares from the Egyptian pyramids. Condensed and condensed cheese. Caramelized onions covered in raw butter and plain butter. Squashed Italian turkey sausages being smeared with cream cheese.”
British singer and model Emily Ratajkowski posted a photo of herself at the party. Credit: Instagram/emrata
Raducanu has grown her celebrity as a result of major tennis success.
Before her win at Flushing Meadows, she was only a qualifying competitor at the Australian Open. After, she was ranked as world number 52.