Emma's only nervous ...if a royal is present

EMMA Raducanu’s legs finally turned to jelly yesterday – when she played against the Duchess of Cambridge.

- Richard Palmer

The 18-year-old, who never lost her compusure during her first Grand Slam win, was asked if she was more nervous playing Kate or her US Open finals opponent Leylah Fernandez.

The champion replied: “I was actually very nervous playing the Duchess – I was like, ‘Don’t miss, don’t miss’.”

Competitive Kate, 39, proved to be a match not just for Emma but for three other British US Open champions yesterday at their official homecoming.

The duchess held her own in various games involving women’s singles winner Emma, men’s and mixed doubles champ Joe Salisbury and wheelchair doubles aces Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid.