Tennis ace Emma Raducanu has a go at being a BA pilot for the day

A British tennis icon and British Airways ambassador has tried her hand at being a pilot – and can even land a plane.

Emma Raducanu, 19, is Britain’s current number one female tennis player and winner of the Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

She is the first British woman to do so since 1977.

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Last year, Emma, who was raised in London, became an ambassador for British Airways.

Now, the tennis ace has taken the partnership to the next level by learning to be a plane engineer – and she even learned how to land a plane herself.

The young athlete claims she “loved” heading behind the scenes – and was invited into the cockpit where the pilot called her a “natural”.

Emma aided the pilot with take-off and landing, admitting that the latter was "so hard" to achieve.

The pair even pointed out the Centre Court at Wimbledon while flying before landing back on the tarmac.

A BA engineer also took the tennis player on a tour of the aircraft after Emma said she "always wanted to be a pilot".

While touring the plane, the tennis champ even learnt to service the aircraft and unlatch it.

When she signed up to be an ambassador for the airline, Emma noted: “British Airways has taken such good care of my team and ever since the US Open and I have felt their support everywhere I have flown.

"To be partnering with such an iconic British brand that can play a big role in my performance makes a lot of sense to me.

"I’m fascinated by aviation and we have some interesting projects planned together.”

Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, added: “As we look ahead to the world opening up again, we’re excited to be supporting the very best of British talent, Emma Raducanu.

"We couldn’t have been prouder as a nation than when Emma won the US Open.

“Sport has the power to inspire and unite people all across the globe, so we are delighted to be supporting Emma as she represents Britain and takes on the world.”

Emma has signed an enormous £8m worth of deals since winning the US Open last year.

Earlier this month, reports stated that Emma's net worth was a staggering £17.8million.

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