In a remarkable revelation that sheds new light on her fairytale 2021 US Open campaign, Emma Raducanu's unusual requirement for a king-sized bed during the tournament has been disclosed by the very official who facilitated her unprecedented triumph.
The Unconventional Request That Powered a Champion
Stacey Allaster, the US Open tournament director, has shared the extraordinary behind-the-scenes details of Raducanu's stunning victory journey. The British sensation, then just 18 years old, made a specific and rather particular request to tournament organisers regarding her accommodation arrangements.
"She needed a king-sized bed," Allaster revealed, highlighting the unusual demand that came from the young qualifier who would soon take the tennis world by storm.
A Champion's Comfort Behind the Scenes
While other players focused solely on practice schedules and match preparations, Raducanu's attention to recovery and comfort proved telling. The request for superior sleeping arrangements wasn't merely a preference but a crucial part of her physical and mental preparation strategy.
Allaster, now chief executive of the WTA, accommodated the request without hesitation, recognising the importance of player comfort and recovery during the gruelling grand slam fortnight.
The Making of British Tennis History
Raducanu's journey from qualifier to champion remains one of the most extraordinary stories in sporting history. The Bromley-born star didn't just win matches—she revolutionised what young British athletes could achieve on the global stage.
Her victory marked the first time a qualifier had ever won a grand slam title, and she achieved this without dropping a single set throughout the entire tournament—a feat that left the tennis establishment in awe.
Beyond the Bed: The Real Secret to Success
While the king-sized bed anecdote provides fascinating insight, Allaster was quick to emphasise that Raducanu's success was built on far more than comfortable sleeping arrangements.
"She was just so focused," Allaster recalled. "She knew what she needed to do, she was prepared, and she was just in the zone."
This revelation offers tennis fans a rare glimpse into the meticulous preparation and personal requirements that underpinned one of British sport's greatest underdog stories.
