Tjen inspired by title success of Raducanu

EMMA RADUCANU’S incredible 2021 run to the US Open title helped inspire her next opponent to believe a career in professional tennis was possible.

- By ELEANOR CROOKS, PA

Watching from Pepperdine University in California was sociology student Janice Tjen, who on Sunday became the first Indonesian player for more than 20 years to win a grand slam singles match.

‘Tjen’s victory over 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova was one of the most surprising results of the tournament so far on paper, but a closer look at the 23-year-old’s trajectory makes it somewhat less shocking.

In her first season on the professional tour, Tjen has won six tournaments and 59 matches, and has climbed from outside 400 in the rankings to the brink of the top 100.

Raducanu, of course, became the only qualifier to win a slam title, and ahead of today’s meeting Tjen said: “When Emma won the tournament and having an incredible run here, I was actually in college, and I was injured at the time, so I got to watch a lot of tennis.

“Just seeing her doing it made me inspired to be able to do it, as well. Emma is very big. Everyone loves Emma at home. She’s a very well-known player, and I’m just excited for the opportunity.”