“Didn’t Want to Embarrass”: Council Refuses to Grant Civic Award to Emma Raducanu
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via Reuters
Britain’s Emma Raducanu poses with the U.S. Open tennis championship trophy after her match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the women’s singles final the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, U.S., September 11, 2021. Picture taken September 11, 2021. Michael Frey/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
In just her second Grand Slam appearance, Emma Raducanu did the improbable at US Open 2021. She swiftly lifted the Grand Slam title at the Flushing Meadows without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
Cruising through the qualifying stages, Raducanu became the first British woman to capture a Grand Slam in 44 years.
However, following her heroics at US Open, the Bromley council refused the proposal of awarding the 18-year-old the highest civic honor.
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Bromley Council refused to award Emma Raducanu
Following her success at the Flushing Meadows, the town’s Labour group recommended awarding Raducanu the Freedom of the Borough, the greatest civic honor a municipal government can bestow. However, some councilors opposed it, claiming Raducanu was ranked just 24th in the world.
Tony Owen, Bromley’s deputy mayor, said, “We have written to the family and received a reply from her representative who said the family don’t really like a fuss.”
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He further added, “Clearly she has a great career ahead of her and we are very proud of her success. But we didn’t want to embarrass Emma. And we don’t want to embarrass ourselves, which it would be if she refused [the award.]”
via Reuters
FILE PHOTO: British tennis player Emma Raducanu poses during the world premiere of the new James Bond film “No Time To Die” at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
In the end, Bromley Labour leader, Angela Wilkins said, “I imagine Emma refusing to accept is highly unlikely to happen – even if she were to decline, at least we would have shown our support and recognition of her. If Emma wishes to attend an event to celebrate the award, this could be arranged at her convenience.”
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Andy Murray received Freedom of the Borough in 2012
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Emma’s not the first person to be recommended for this award.
Andy Murray had a miraculous season in 2012. He won the prestigious Gold Medal at London Olympics and also claimed his maiden US Open title, beating Novak Djokovic in an enchanting five-set final. Subsequently, many pundits regarded his name in the ‘The Big Four’ of tennis.
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After his accomplishments, in 2012, Andy Murray was awarded the Freedom of the Borough honor by Stirling. However, Murray didn’t actually receive the award until 2014, mainly due to his busy schedule.
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