British tennis star Emma Raducanu celebrated her 22nd birthday confined to a hotel in Malaga as severe storms battered southern Spain.
The former US Open champion was unable to leave her accommodation on Thursday due to flooding on the Costa del Sol, which disrupted the start of the Billie Jean King Cup.
Despite the challenging conditions, Raducanu managed to mark the occasion with her team, describing the birthday as “very memorable”.
The severe weather conditions led to widespread disruption across the region, with schools and businesses forced to shut down.
Public transport was suspended as heavy rain pounded the Costa del Sol area.
The adverse conditions meant no training sessions could take place at the Palacio de Deportes in Malaga, where the tournament is being held.
Emma Raducanu celebrated her 22nd birthday on November 13
YouTube
The entire British team found themselves restricted to their hotel as the storms continued to impact the area.
Despite the weather constraints, Raducanu’s team ensured her birthday remained special with thoughtful decorations and celebrations.
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“I’m really grateful that my team, they made a really big effort yesterday to make me feel really special. There were birthday banners, cake, balloons,” Raducanu said.
“Even though those were the conditions, I still had a great time. It was very memorable,” she added.
The tennis star also expressed gratitude for messages from friends back home, describing them as “really sweet.”
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The British team made the most of their unexpected indoor confinement with team-building activities.
Team leader Heather Watson revealed: “We actually did some yoga and some core sessions, and it’s kind of good sometimes to have a forced break and lots of team bonding.”
The celebrations included sharing birthday cake, with Watson joking: “We were non-stop partying! No, I’m joking!”
Malaga has been struck by Spain’s devastating flash floods
Reuters
The team had already managed three practice sessions at the venue on Tuesday before the weather disruption.
The British team’s tie against Germany is scheduled for Friday, marking the last of the first-round matches in the tournament.
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Emma Raducanu, Heather Watson, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Olivia Nicholls form Great Britain and Anne Keothavong’s team for the Billie Jean King Cup
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Watson expressed concern about the broader impact of the weather on the region, stating: “It was more concerning for the country seeing what they have been through recently, which is so tough.”
“It was scary, but I’m glad that it wasn’t too bad,” she added, acknowledging the severity of the situation while remaining optimistic about conditions improving.