Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

Tennis superstar Emma Raducanu, despite being one of Britain's most recognizable athletes, manages to navigate London's public transport largely unnoticed. Can you believe it?

The 23-year-old US Open champ has been spotted hopping on overground and underground trains from her home in Bromley, Kent, all the way into the heart of Central London.

But how does she do it? How does the woman whose face was plastered on billboards during Wimbledon, whose US Open victory was watched by millions, manage to blend in with the commuting masses?

Turns out, rush hour is her secret weapon! "People are so locked into their worlds," Raducanu revealed. "They're all so zoned out, they're not really paying attention."

Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

Picture this: a sea of bleary-eyed commuters, headphones in, desperately trying to snag a seat. They're probably not expecting to see a Grand Slam champion amongst them!

Raducanu added: "They’re probably not expecting to see me either. I have my hood up or whatever, but they’re just so focused and absorbed in their own worlds."

Her secret weapon? Anonymity amidst the chaos. "It’s all so crazy. Like the haste in which everyone’s walking around," she observed.

She even joked about having to "get the elbows out" just to navigate the crowded platforms, just like everyone else. Talk about keeping it real!

It's a welcome change for the tennis star, who endured a terrifying stalking incident earlier this year. That ordeal understandably left her shaken.

Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

During a match in Dubai, Raducanu was visibly distressed after spotting a man in the stands who had been following her. The man was later arrested.

Thankfully, she says she's moved past the experience, thanks to the support of her loved ones. "I feel good because someone’s always watching my back," she shared.

And while she's fluent on the court, Raducanu's been brushing up her language skills in the off-season. She's learning Spanish to better communicate with her coach, Francis Roig, who previously coached Rafael Nadal, and even dabbling in French.

Apparently, she's even been caught mixing languages in her text messages. "I’m saying a sentence with like three different languages, and I just don’t even know what I’m saying," she laughed.

Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

But it’s all part of her plan to "feed my brain" and become a better version of herself, both on and off the court. Smart cookie!

Raducanu ended her WTA Tour year at world No.29 and has begun her 2026 season preparations.

Looking ahead, Raducanu is heading to Barcelona for an extended training session with Roig, and plans to spend Christmas at home – her first time since the pandemic.

She'll then kick off her 2026 season at the United Cup in Australia. Watch out, tennis world!

Despite some late-season setbacks due to illness and a foot injury, Raducanu is staying positive about her progress.

Emma Raducanu going unrecognised during rush hour commute despite being most famous sportswoman in the UK

"Overall I have to be positive about the season. I think I did a great job in terms of competing a lot more. I put myself out there week to week," she said.

She added, "For me to go kind of nine months pretty strong is something that I haven’t actually done before... So I’m pretty proud of it."

So, next time you're crammed onto the Tube during rush hour, take a good look around. You never know – you might just be sharing a carriage with a tennis superstar! But maybe, just maybe, let her enjoy her incognito commute.

After all, everyone needs a little peace and quiet, even a Grand Slam champion.

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