Yes, a qualifier has won a grand slam. Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a grand slam singles title on either the ATP or WTA Tours.
She beat Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 at the 2021 US Open. completing one of the most remarkable runs in tennis history.
Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open Run
Emma Raducanu had to win three qualifying matches just to enter the main draw, followed by seven main draw matches to win the 2021 US Open title.
- Total matches won: 10
- Sets lost: 0
- Average opponent ranking: 91
- Highest-ranked opponent: Belinda Bencic (World No. 12)
She became the first qualifier (male or female) to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era.
Emma Raducanu Match Results (2021 US Open)
| Round | Opponent | Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Leylah Fernandez | 73 | 6–4, 6–3 |
| SF | Maria Sakkari | 18 | 6–1, 6–4 |
| QF | Belinda Bencic | 12 | 6–3, 6–4 |
| R16 | Shelby Rogers | 43 | 6–2, 6–1 |
| R32 | Sara Sorribes Tormo | 41 | 6–0, 6–1 |
| R64 | Shuai Zhang | 49 | 6–2, 6–4 |
| R128 | Stefanie Voegele | 128 | 6–2, 6–3 |
| Q3 | Mayar Sherif | 96 | 6–1, 6–4 |
| Q2 | Mariam Bolkvadze | 167 | 6–3, 7–5 |
| Q1 | Bibiane Schoofs | 285 | 6–1, 6–2 |
Best Grand Slam Results by Qualifiers (Before Raducanu)
Before 2021, no qualifier had ever reached a Grand Slam final.
Some of the closest attempts include:
- John McEnroe – Wimbledon semifinal (1977)
- Filip Dewulf – French Open semifinal (1997)
- Vladimir Voltchkov – Wimbledon semifinal (2000)
- Alexandra Stevenson – Wimbledon semifinal (1999)
Many fans mistakenly believe Goran Ivanisevic was a qualifier when he won Wimbledon in 2001, but he actually entered the tournament as a wildcard.
Why Is It So Rare for a Qualifier to Win a Grand Slam?
Winning a Grand Slam as a qualifier is extremely difficult due to:
- Extra matches: Qualifiers must win 3 additional matches before the main draw
- Physical fatigue: Up to 10 matches over two weeks
- Lower ranking: Facing seeded players early
- Mental pressure: Less experience at the highest level
This is why Raducanu’s achievement is considered one of the greatest breakthroughs in tennis history.
Could a Qualifier Win a Grand Slam Again?
It’s possible, but still highly unlikely.
Modern tennis is dominated by top-ranked players, and the physical demands of the tour make deep runs from qualifiers very difficult.
However, Raducanu’s win proved that:
- Momentum matters
- Confidence can outweigh ranking
- Breakthrough runs are still possible
FAQ: Qualifiers in Grand Slams
Has a male qualifier ever won a Grand Slam?
No male player has ever won a Grand Slam singles title after coming through qualifying.
Has a qualifier ever reached a Grand Slam final?
Emma Raducanu was the first qualifier to reach—and win—a final. No other qualifier has reached a grand slam final.
Has a qualifier ever won Wimbledon?
No qualifier has ever won Wimbledon.
How old was Emma Raducanu when she won the US Open?
Emma Raducanu was 18 years old when she lifted the title in New York in 2021.