Emma Raducanu is back at Wimbledon and looking to make the most of the moment without burdening herself with expectations. The 22-year-old British No 1, who famously won the US Open in 2021 as a teenager, has faced a rollercoaster of challenges since her breakthrough. Between injuries, off-court scrutiny, and the pressures of fame, Raducanu is approaching this year’s Championships with perspective and a measured mindset.
Her return to the All England Club comes after a mixed grass-court season. She showed promise at Queen’s Club with two strong victories but was knocked out in the second round at Eastbourne. Despite dealing with lingering back discomfort and having little recovery time, she remains upbeat. “Truthfully, I don’t expect much from myself this year,” she said before the tournament. “I just want to embrace the moment and enjoy playing at Wimbledon, something that comes only once a year.”
This marks only her fourth appearance at Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round in both 2021 and 2023. After multiple surgeries in 2023 on her wrists and ankle, Raducanu dropped out of the top 300 but has since climbed back to world No 40. Her resurgence has reignited a healthy rivalry with fellow Brit Katie Boulter, and the pair were seen practicing together ahead of the tournament.
In the opening round, Raducanu will face 17-year-old Welsh prospect Mimi Xu. Should she advance, the path ahead is daunting. She could meet 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round and top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third. Sabalenka, who withdrew from last year’s event with a shoulder injury, is eager to make her mark and poses a formidable threat.
Raducanu’s back spasms remain a concern, but she insists it’s manageable and not uncommon for players to compete while less than fully fit. The mental strain of life on tour may also contribute to such physical issues, something tennis legend John McEnroe has previously highlighted from his own experience.
The women’s draw is full of intrigue this year, with recent French Open champion Coco Gauff, Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and defending champion Barbora Krejcikova all in the mix. Veteran Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, is set to make her final appearance at SW19 before retiring after the US Open, adding an emotional layer to the tournament.
With so many potential outcomes, the women’s field is wide open. For Raducanu, however, this Wimbledon is less about pressure and more about presence relishing the opportunity to play in front of home fans and taking each match as it comes.
