(CNN) After shocking Serena Williams to win the Indian Wells event on Saturday, fan favorite Emma Raducanu let the U.S. tennis star know what she thinks of her: “Good luck in her upcoming matches.”
The Romanian, 26, powered through over three sets, beating Williams 6-4, 6-4 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In an emotional post-match interview, Williams praised Raducanu, a rare female winner of the prestigious Californian event, saying she was “so good.”
Despite being on a roll after beating Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova in the semifinal, Williams told a press conference she was not certain she was healthy enough to play Sunday’s final.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner revealed last week that she was diagnosed with a blood clot on her lung last year and later developed complications related to blood clots in her lungs and her legs.
On Saturday, Williams said she had not yet made a decision on whether to play in the final, but said she was hopeful she could play.
In a conference call with reporters Saturday, Raducanu was asked about her reaction to the news.
“There was no surprise,” she said. “My mind was clear.”
Raducanu’s victory at Indian Wells is her second since winning the California tournament in 2016. Raducanu, nicknamed “Noelle,” defeated Maria Sharapova in the semifinals last year.
“I think my goal is just to keep doing what I’m doing,” she said. “I’m working hard. The reward will happen and when that happens, I’ll be happy, but right now my focus is on the next thing.”