Emma Raducanu the Star to Beat For SPOTY

After what was a remarkable breakthrough season in 2021, it’s unsurprising to see British tennis star Emma Raducanu as the favourite for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 18-year-old has taken her new-found success in her stride and will take some stopping to be denied the title on December 19 in Salford.

A Year to Remember

From a little-known rising talent to a major-winning star, it has been a whirlwind year for Raducanu on the tennis scene. Unsurprisingly, this has made her the heavy favourite in the Sports Personality of the Year 2021 betting as she is priced at -2000. Her performance in the US Open saw her feature in the Sports Personality of the Year tips as she quickly became the favourite for the competition after winning the major.

The Bromley, London player started to make headlines with her efforts at Wimbledon, as she impressed in her home Grand Slam. She managed to reach the fourth round of the competition at the All-England Club before retiring against Ajla Tomljanovic. It was Raducanu’s skill and composure that started to turn heads and was the beginning of her journey into the competitive world of Grand Slam Tennis.

At Flushing Meadows, she reached the main draw via qualifying and began to build up some winning momentum in the early stages of the competition. Not only did she go on to catch the imagination of the American and British public with her stunning displays, she again seemed to take the pressure and limelight in her stride. Raducanu beat Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 in the final to become the first qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam tournament. With all this in mind, it’s no surprise to see why so many are backing Raducanu to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year in December.

The Other Contenders

Traditionally it has been athletes who have done well at the Sports Personality of the Year awards in Olympic years. British diver Tom Daley finally managed to land his first gold medal at the Games in Tokyo by winning alongside Matty Lee in the synchronized 10m platform. That tremendous effort, after the disappointment of missing out on gold in 2008, 2012 and 2016, has made Daley one of the contenders for this year’s award.

Adam Peaty also enjoyed a Games to remember in Japan, as he became the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title. The 26-year-old managed to beat Dutch star Arno Kamminga to win the 100m breaststroke final, before claiming another gold in the mixed 4×100m medley relay. Peaty, Anna Hopkin, Kathleen Dawson and James Guy were able to set a world record time of 3 minutes 37.58 seconds in the event.

In other years the pair might well be battling it out for the favourites tag going into the Sports Personality of the Year awards. However, after what has been an incredible breakthrough season, Raducanu is the woman to beat for the coveted prize.