In a heartwarming moment ahead of the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships, British tennis star Emma Raducanu found inspiration in an unexpected encounter with 11-year-old Joanie Melady, a devoted fan born with congenital limb differences. The meeting, orchestrated by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the HSBC Championships, took place at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton just three days before Raducanu’s campaign began. Joanie, whose left arm ends just below the elbow, left an indelible mark on the 2021 US Open champion, prompting Raducanu to reflect, “I need to be more like that,” in awe of the young girl’s determination to pursue her tennis dreams despite physical challenges. The interaction, captured in a touching video shared on social media, highlighted Raducanu’s commitment to using her platform to uplift others, reinforcing her role as a beacon for resilience in the face of adversity.
Joanie, a budding tennis player from the UK, first gained attention two years ago on BBC Breakfast, where she named Raducanu as her favorite player. Her father, Alan, shared that Joanie’s limb difference initially made her shy, but her passion for tennis, sparked by watching Raducanu’s historic US Open run in 2021, transformed her outlook. “Joanie was born missing her left hand,” Alan explained. “She wants to be the best player on the court, but it’s less about beating somebody else and more about proving she can do it.” Equipped with a prosthetic arm named after her by British start-up Koalaa, Joanie has excelled, recently winning her first tournament. “I was really happy when Koalaa told me they were going to make a tool to help me throw the ball and that it would be named after me,” Joanie said, her enthusiasm infectious as she met her idol.
Raducanu, 22, greeted Joanie with warmth, saying, “Hey Joanie, how are you?” before joining her for a once-in-a-lifetime hitting session on court. The former World No. 10, who reached a career-high ranking after her US Open triumph, was visibly moved. “I’m in awe of her,” Raducanu said. “To feel that love for the game is really precious.” She marveled at Joanie’s drive, noting, “She wants to play tennis. She’s gonna play tennis. Doesn’t matter how. I honestly think I need to be more like that.” The encounter resonated deeply with Raducanu, who has faced her own challenges, including a 2024 season marred by injuries and a stalking incident at the Dubai Championships that left her “wary” in public. “I want to be a message and just an example of someone who has faced a lot of adversity,” she said, drawing parallels between her journey and Joanie’s unwavering spirit.
The meeting came at a pivotal moment for Raducanu, who entered Queen’s Club ranked World No. 37, fresh off a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open and a strong doubles performance with Katie Boulter. Despite a second-round exit at Roland Garros and a 6-2, 6-4 loss to Qinwen Zheng in the Queen’s quarterfinals, Raducanu remained optimistic. “I’m pretty chilled out,” she told reporters, focusing on recovery ahead of Wimbledon 2025, where she aims for a seeded spot. Her resilience mirrors Joanie’s, whose love for tennis was ignited by Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory as a qualifier—the first in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam. “I hope I can play like her one day,” Joanie said, a dream Raducanu is helping make possible through her encouragement.
The interaction sparked widespread admiration online, with fans on X calling it “one of the most touching videos you’ll see all year.” Raducanu’s history of connecting with fans, like spotting a young supporter in Washington in 2024 and arranging a signed memento, underscores her off-court impact. As she prepares for Wimbledon, starting June 30, Raducanu carries Joanie’s inspiration with her. “Yea, I heard about that and her reaction to her favourite player, that was a really touching moment,” she said, reflecting on the encounter. For Raducanu, Joanie’s determination is a reminder of the power of passion and perseverance, qualities that continue to define her own remarkable journey in tennis.
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