Kate Middleton shows her sporty side as she takes to the court with tennis champ Emma Raducanu

Kate Middleton's love of tennis is well documented and it looks like the royal is a pro at the sport too

Kate Middleton Hair
(Image credit: Clive Brunskill / Staff/Getty Images)

Kate Middleton took to the tennis court to welcome back US Open Champion Emma Raducanu. Not content with a simple greeting at the LTA Centre, the tennis mad royal got suited and booted and took to the court for a quick set!


It's only been a matter of weeks since the Queen and Kate Middleton congratulated Emma Raducanu, the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam title. Talk about what a difference a few weeks can make because this week, Emma took to the court with the tennis mad Duchess!

Kate swapped her vibrant Emilia Wickstead dress at the Wimbledon women's final for court attire was a heck of a lot sportier.

The Duchess smiled from ear to ear as she greeted Emma at the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), of which she is a patron. 

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks to British US Open champion Emma Raducanu as they return to the LTA's National Tennis Centre for The Homecoming and to celebrate their success on September 24, 2021 in London, England.

(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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On taking to the court to play with Kate, Emma admitted that despite her obvious skill at the game, she was a bit shakey about this particular game.

"I was actually very nervous playing the Duchess," Emma told the BBC. All she could think was, "Don't miss! Don't miss!" she added.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge plays a shot as British US Open champions Emma Raducanu, Joe Salisbury, Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett return to the LTA's National Tennis Centre for The Homecoming and to celebrate their success on September 24, 2021 in London, England

(Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The homecoming was hosted by the LTA Youth program at the National Tennis Centre, and Kate was joined by US Open champion Emma, alongside fellow British US Open champions.

The event isn't just about Emma's success as she wasn't the only successful British tennis player at the US Open. Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett became the first all-British pairing to complete the Grand Slam, winning in the men's wheelchair doubles final.

As well as Emma, Gordon and Alfie's victories, Joe Salisbury also became the first British player to win two doubles titles at a Grand Slam in the Open era after he claimed both mixed doubles and men's doubles honors.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (C) poses with US Open Champion Emma Raducanu (top R) at the LTA Centre in Roehampton on September 24, 2021 in London, England.

(Image credit: Jeremy Selwyn - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Sun reports that Kate said, "Amazing guys, honestly. Congratulations," adding, "Seriously impressive."

The proud as punch royal added, "It's been so nice for all of you to come back here in your home country to celebrate back home."

Who knows, considering how at home she looks on the court maybe we'll be seeing more of the Duchess and her tennis racket in the future!

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.