Emma Raducanu had to present herself with the most prestigious prize in British sport because she's stuck inside with COVID
- Emma Raducanu won Britain's biggest sporting prize in the most 2021 fashion possible.
- Raducanu currently has COVID, so had to present herself with BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Emma Raducanu had to present herself with British sport's most prestigious prize because she is currently self-isolating after catching COVID.
The teenage tennis star was voted as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday night to top off a memorable 12 months that saw her reach the fourth round of Wimbledon on her Grand Slam debut in July before winning the US Open in September.
In a style befitting 2021, Raducanu was unable to collect her prize in person, however, having tested positive for COVID-19 last week while in Abu Dhabi for a tournament.
Instead, she was forced to hand herself the award and deliver her acceptance speech via video link.
"It's such an honor just to be among these nominees. Congrats to you and all your achievements," the 19-year-old said.
Diver Tom Daley finished second in the vote and swimmer Adam Peaty was third. Soccer player Raheem Sterling, boxer Tyson Fury, and Paralympian Sarah Storey were also shortlisted.
"I'm really happy with this, I've watched Sports Personality of the Year growing up and it's an honour to be among those past winners," she continued.
"I'm happy for British tennis as well, and that we've managed to get this award again!
"Thanks to all the fans and voters, this year has been insane. The energy this year playing at Wimbledon in front of my home crowd, that was something I've never felt before."
In winning the prize, Raducanu became the first female tennis player to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year since Virginia Wade in 1977, and the first female from any sport to win since equestrian Zara Phillips, now Zara Tindall, in 2006.
The last male tennis player to win the award was Andy Murray, who scooped the trophy for a third time in 2016.
A year to remember
Shortly after finishing her final high school exams, Raducanu made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon aged just 18 after being handed a wildcard into the main draw.
She progressed to the fourth round, becoming the youngest ever British woman to reach the tournament's last 16 in the Open era, and becoming a media darling in the process. During her fourth round match she was forced to withdraw when she began suffering breathing difficulties.
Raducanu bounced back from this disappointment at the US Open, however, storming to victory and winning the title without dropping a set in any of her three qualifiers and seven main draw matches.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Raducanu is now working under a new coach – German Torben Beltz – with whom she says she is thrilled to be partnered.
"It's obviously a great privilege to be working with such an experienced coach," she said of Beltz, who was the long-time mentor of three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber, last month, according to Sky Sports.
"I'm definitely very excited to work with him throughout the pre-season and into next year so things are looking up and it's a very, very positive feeling, very excited about all the work that is to come."