The US Open Champion 2021
PAINTED BY LEIGHTON CHARLES
The year is 2021 and we had just emerged from a pandemic world.
The Tennis World was in the mood to revel in the return of audiences that had graced Wimbledon (after a year's abscence) and in time for the US Open Tennis Championships.
At Wimbledon we had seen a British 18 year old thrill the World with her dazzling performances reaching the 4th round of a major Grand Slam.
Little did we know that the same youngster would embrace a tour of the United States culminating in her playing qualifying matches for the last Slam of the year.
It triggered the greatest single sporting achievement in history, by winning ten matches in a row, without dropping a single set; And of course...to win the US Open Championship!
For me it was the greatest sporting achievement in my life time!
I followed the journey with many others, from beginning to end and was fascinated by the evolution of Emma Raducanu, from brilliant promising youngster to formidable professional tennis player with unique composure, determination and resolution!
Leighton Charles
I wanted to capture that spirit of resolution, the intimidating composure evident during the toughest of match points; and the illogical defiance coupled with seeming invincibility!
It's a GAME FACE to send out a warning to all unbelievers, to all of those defeatists and naysayers that told us it would never happen and couldn't possibly be done. And finally a look to warn every opponent that we're going the distance!
Leighton Charles