The pressure is always high on Emma Raducanu but in her first Wimbledon after winning the US Open in 2021 she expertly deflected those suggestions.
A straight sets victory over Leylah Fernandez four years ago saw her become the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Raducanu announced herself to the world with an outstanding US Open winGettyRaducanu was also the first British woman to be crowned as a major singles champion since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.
The then 18-year-old didn’t lose a single set during her qualifying and main draw matches in what was only her second Grand Slam outing.
After the Australian and French Opens in 2022, Raducanu returned to Wimbledon and brushed aside Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round.
However, Caroline Garcia ensured she faced an early end to her run at the All England Club with a 6-3 6-3 triumph.
Raducanu had catapulted herself onto centre stage with her stunning US Open triumph, but attracted increased attention in doing so.
After defeat to Garcia, she was asked about the challenges she faces with pressure and being in the spotlight following Grand Slam glory.
“I think I’ve been asked this question in every press conference, but I am 19-years-old,” she responded in her post-match press conference.
“Yes, I have had attention, but I’m a Slam champion so no one’s going to take that away from me.
“If anything, the pressure’s on those who haven’t done that.”
Looking towards the 2022 US Open, a reporter later asked: “The next time you step onto a Grand Slam court, it’s going to be as a defending champion.
Despite the buzz of a Grand Slam title, she faced an early exit on home turf in 2022Getty Raducanu chose not to read into any talk of pressure in front of the mediaAFP“How much has this week and the grass court buildup, with all that home pressure, helped you for that moment in a couple of months’ time?”
However, Raducanu insisted: “There’s no pressure, why is there any pressure? I’m still 19, it’s a joke, I literally won a Slam.
“But going back to New York, it’s going to be cool because I have got a lot of experiences playing on big courts, playing with people in the stadium, playing with the spotlight on you. I don’t mind that.
“I mean, for me, everything is learning and I’m embracing every single moment that is thrown at me.”
Raducanu missed the 2023 Wimbledon Championships after having wrist and ankle surgeries.
She made her comeback a year later as a wildcard and reached the fourth round, but was knocked out by Lulu Sun.
Wimbledon could be the perfect opportunity for Grand Slam no. 2GettyWith 2025’s Championships now well underway, Raducanu has the opportunity to make it back-to-back third round appearances.
The 22-year-old defeated fellow Brit Mimi Xu 6-3 6-3 in their opening day clash on Monday.
Up next is the 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday evening, with Centre Court hosting the second round match.
Should Raducanu win, then world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will give her a run for her money in the third round if she beats Marie Bouzkova.
Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon record
2021 – Fourth Round
2022 – Second Round
2023 – Absent
2024 – Fourth Round
2025 – Second Round* (vs Marketa Vondrousova)
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