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The Bromley Tennis Center is where it all started for Emma Raducanu, and last night they saw her make history.
After starting to play racket at the age of five, this is where she trained regularly throughout her school years.
With her school close by, the 18-year-old trained before and after class, and sometimes even during school hours.
Members and staff here are eager to give him a hero’s welcome upon his return home – in the meantime, it’s practice as usual, with courts packed with motivated members.
Matt James, who coached Emma for two years, told Sky News he was “immensely proud and excited” for Raducanu.
He said she had “catapulted herself” while inspiring the next generation of tennis players.
Mr James initially expected Raducanu to achieve great things after seeing her play for the first time at Wimbledon three years ago, where “you could then see this determined and determined young girl”.
But he didn’t expect this success to come so quickly.
He said: “We all knew she was probably under-rated and a little off the radar.
“We knew the level was there, but we didn’t really think it was going to be that important so soon.”
He added: “She’s learning from her experiences, she learned a lot from her run at Wimbledon and unfortunately from her withdrawal, and being on a big pitch she used it in a positive way, so I think we have Big things ahead.”
Emma Wanostrocht, business manager at Virtus, works closely with the Bromley Tennis Center and has known Raducanu for 10 years.
She told Sky News: “Emma has always conducted herself with poise, poise and maturity.
“Her work ethic is different from what you see in anyone, whether it’s on the field, at the gym or at school, she always gives it her all.”
She added: “She is an inspiration to all of our children and the nation to choose to watch women’s tennis on a Saturday night – it’s a turning point for women’s tennis.
“I think we can look forward to some really big things before that, it won’t be her last grand slam or her last championship – she will be on the tour for many years to come.”
The impact of Raducanu’s success on aspiring tennis players is already being felt.
Ms Wanostrocht said: “Our program was already packed, but the interest we generated this week has skyrocketed.”
Gemma Smith started training at the club at the age of eight, almost a decade later she now coaches junior classes.
She told Sky News: “I have never shouted so much on TV in such a long time.
“It was amazing, his serve was amazing and I was so inspired to see someone so young playing so well.
“It was so surreal for someone so young to win such a big title.”
She added that it shows that “anyone, at any age, can dream big.”
The young players of the club have found a new model to follow.
Claudia, has been playing tennis for two years.
The eight-year-old told Sky News that she dreams of becoming a “really good tennis player” like Ranucanu.
Meanwhile, brothers Arthur and Walter say it’s “really cool” to play on the same courts as Raducanu, saying they also want to become “tennis champions”.
For nine-year-old Sana, the future may not lie in tennis, but Raducanu’s work ethic is something she admires.
She told Sky News: “I love that she’s very young and worked hard, so she’s a great tennis player.”
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