Emma Raducanu plays down expectations ahead of ‘dangerous’ Wimbledon opener
Emma Raducanu played down expectations for another deep Wimbledon run ahead of a “very dangerous” first-round match on Monday.
The 22-year-old made the fourth round here last year in her biggest moment since winning the US Open in 2021 but has been dealing with some difficult personal news and a niggling back problem.
“I think it’s a very dangerous match, very difficult,” said Raducanu. “I think Mimi is a really, really good player. I practised with her a few times. A lot of weapons. Also moves really well.
“For her it’s one where there’s nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It’s a great feeling. You just feel completely fearless.
“So I think for me it’s going to be a challenge, but one that I’m looking forward to and I’m ready for.”
Raducanu burst onto the global stage here four years ago with a run to the last 16, and she said: “It does feel like a long time ago. A lot has happened in the last four years.
“It’s good to see a new generation. It keeps us on our toes. It keeps us hungry to improve. It’s just healthy competition between all of us. I know I’m going to have to bring a really good level of tennis on Monday if I want to get through it.”
Xu, from Swansea, is also of Chinese heritage, and Raducanu added: “Mimi’s mum has always been really nice to me. I speak to her in Chinese. It’s good practice for me. I get to try and improve my Mandarin, which is good.
Raducanu admitted her back still is not 100 per cent, with a mixed grass-court season seeing her reach the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club to reclaim the British number one ranking from Katie Boulter before pulling out of Berlin and losing early in Eastbourne.
“Truthfully I don’t expect much from myself this year (at Wimbledon),” she said. “I know I’ve just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion.
“I know there’s not many opportunities to be playing at Wimbledon. You get it once a year and for a finite amount of time. I’m just looking forward to going out there and feeling the surroundings and the atmosphere.
“Right now I’m just happy to be at Wimbledon. I think that is a great motivation to just keep going and deal with everything else afterwards.”
It is a very tough draw for the 28-year-old, who chose to skip Eastbourne to prioritise trying to have a good run at Wimbledon.
Boulter said: “I do feel like I can play very well on these courts and I don’t think that a seed is going to want to see me in their part of the draw either for a first round.
“I’m very, very excited. I feel like it’s a totally different situation for me coming in this year. I’m not seeded. I’m kind of like a dark horse and I like that feeling. I do like the fact that I can go out and swing free and I’ve got nothing to lose.”