Emma Raducanu is poised for a return to the grass of Wimbledon next week as a Grand Slam winner - under pressure to end Britain's 45-year-wait for a women's singles champion.
The teenager caught the eye during her run to the last 16 at the All England Club 12 months ago before withdrawing from her match against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic because of breathing difficulties.
But her Wimbledon debut merely proved the prelude to an astonishing triumph at the US Open in early September, where she beat Leylah Fernandez in the final.
Raducanu, a qualifier, did not drop a set at Flushing Meadows, becoming the first British female player to win a Grand Slam singles crown since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.
That victory propelled her to global stardom, with endorsement deals stacking up as she cashed in on her stunning success in New York.
It has not all been plain sailing for the 19-year-old, currently ranked 11th in the world, who has not won more than two matches at a tournament since.
Raducanu has come under scrutiny over her failure to settle on a long-term coach and has also struggled with fitness issues, as well as having a bout of coronavirus.
But despite her early exits at the Australian Open and French Open, the pressure at her home Grand Slam is bound to be intense.
Andy Murray ended Britain's 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men's champion in 2013, repeating the feat three years later.
Raducanu wins US Open - in pictures
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Emma Raducanu of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada to win the 2021 women's US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu, of Britain, poses outside Arthur Ashe Stadium with the championship trophy. AP Photo -
Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning a point against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. Getty Images -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada celebrates with the runner-up trophy. AFP -
The bloodied knee of Britain's Emma Raducanu is seen as she celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Britain's Emma Raducanu hugs Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning the 2021 US Open. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy and ball kids after defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy alongside Billie Jean King, Stacey Allaster, USTA Chief Executive, and USTA President Mike McNulty. AFP -
Fans watch British teenager Emma Raducanu compete with Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final at The Parklangley Club, in Beckenham, England. AP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates defeating Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrate. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain returns the ball against Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Suzanne Williams, Strength and Conditioning coach for Emma Raducanu aged 8-12, watches the US Open tennis match remotely at the Parklangley Club in Beckenham, England, as she celebrates Raducanu winning. PA -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates winning championship point to defeat Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada. AFP -
Leylah Fernandez of Canada hits a backhand against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain. Reuters -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with fans. EPA -
Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates with the trophy. AFP -
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after defeating Lelyah Fernandez of Canada to win the US Open final. EPA
But Wade's triumph at Wimbledon in Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee year remains the last time a British woman has won at the All England Club.
Raducanu's Wimbledon preparations suffered a blow when she was forced to retire from her first-round match in Nottingham against Viktorija Golubic earlier this month.
The British No 1, who is listed as the 10th seed at Wimbledon, subsequently pulled out of the WTA event in Birmingham and did not appear in Eastbourne.
That leaves her with less than a set of grass-court tennis under her belt before Wimbledon.
Raducanu sparked more fears around her recovery from a side strain when she pulled out of a scheduled second practice session with Garbine Muguruza on Friday.
Earlier this month she admitted she had done things "backwards" by winning a Grand Slam so early in her career as she settles into life as a full-time professional.
"For that to happen very soon definitely comes with a lot of challenges," she said.
"But managing, learning and growing through the adversities that I have faced, I would much rather have that, learn from those experiences and keep building and progressing."
