As the first day of Wimbledon unfolds under record-breaking heat, Emma Raducanu finds herself once again in the spotlight, not just as Britain’s top female player but as a figure of national hope and pride as the 22-year-old is set to lead the British challenge.
She steps onto the court on Monday, June 30 and takes to the All England Club with characteristic determination as she aims to become the first British female singles champion since Virginia Wade in 1977.
“I just want to go out there and embrace the moment,” said Raducanu to reporters. “It is a big occasion every year and that buzz of winning at Wimbledon, honestly, not much beats it.”
Raducanu’s presence is emblematic of the new generation of British tennis talent as she is joined by fellow British No.1 Jack Draper, a close childhood friend, both looking to pick up the mantle left in the wake of Andy Murray.
Their dual ascension to the top of the national rankings in both the men’s and women’s games underscores the promise of this emerging cohort and the golden era of modern British tennis the nation is enjoying.
“It’s amazing. I’ve known him for so long, so many years,” Raducanu said of Draper. “We were both promising juniors and now to be British No.1 on both men and women’s side, it’s pretty cool.”
Raducanu aims to shrug off back injury
Raducanu’s Wimbledon campaign kicks off against 17-year-old wildcard Mimi Xu from Swansea, one of 14 British players competing on a hectic opening day. With temperatures expected to soar to 35°C (95°F) in London.
It’s a factor that could further challenge players already grappling with the tournament’s intense pressure, especially for Emma as she works her way through a back injury.
The problem flared up before the French Open and returned during her Queen’s Club quarter-final loss to Qinwen Zheng. Although she was forced to withdraw from Berlin due to the spasms, Raducanu appeared in Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon.
“It’s okay. I’m still managing it, to be honest. I have good days and bad days with it,” Raducanu explained. “I trained a fair bit last week in London and it was good.
“I was getting a lot of treatment and then woke up pretty stiff at the weekend, took a day off and then trained yesterday and today.
“But it needs a lot of work and it is up and down. So I’m just trying to manage it as best as I can.”
The world No. 38 has even overcome her needle phobia in search of relief, undergoing treatment she typically avoids. Her willingness to push through discomfort reflects a renewed focus ahead of Wimbledon.
Off the court, Raducanu has also made headlines after being spotted with Carlos Alcaraz at the All England Club during a promotional event for Evian.
The pair are scheduled to play mixed doubles together at the US Open later this summer in a mouth-watering line-up for tennis fans around the globe.
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