Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, shared an emotional moment with her young fan Joanie, an 11-year-old aspiring tennis player with congenital limb differences, during a special session at the National Tennis Centre in London on June 7, 2025, organized by the LTA, per Express. The meeting, captured in a touching video shared by @TheTennisLetter, saw Raducanu visibly moved as she hit balls with Joanie, who uses a wheelchair and a specially adapted racket, per. Raducanu praised Joanie’s determination, saying, “She wants to play tennis. She’s gonna play tennis. Doesn’t matter how. I honestly think I need to be more like that,” and admitted, “I’m in awe of her,” per Express.
Joanie, a long-time admirer of Raducanu, had written to the LTA expressing her dream to meet her idol, prompting the surprise encounter, per The Sun. The session included rallying and a heartfelt chat, with Raducanu gifting Joanie a signed racket, per @WTA. Fans on X, like @jon_snow_pt, called it “pure joy,” while @mrs_bradders1 noted, “I’ve something in my eye,” reflecting the widespread emotional impact, per. Raducanu, who recently reached the Queen’s Club quarter-finals but withdrew from Berlin due to back issues, drew inspiration from Joanie’s resilience, saying, “Her positivity is infectious,” per The Sun.
