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3 Jul 2025 | 00.14
Emma Raducanu is back to smiling, and her tennis is resurging. The Brit, who has faced a genuine odyssey of injuries, results crisis, and confidence and anxiety issues since her success in the 2021 US Open, seems to be rediscovering her game at her favorite tournament and surrounded by her fellow countrymen. At Wimbledon, we are witnessing the best version of the 22-year-old, who appears happy and enjoying her time at the London event.
Not only is she enjoying herself, but she also has a confidence in her game that led her to defeat the 2023 champion, Marketa Vondrousova, in a clear and convincing manner (6-3, 6-3). However, the British number one won't have much time to celebrate as she faces, next Friday, none other than the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka. And regarding her match against the Belarusian, the high level she displayed today, the change in her tennis with her new coach, the extra boost that grass gives to her game, and the need to be more aggressive, she addressed in the post-match press conference.
Happy after defeating a Wimbledon champion
"I feel incredible. I think I played a great match. I knew facing Marketa would be a challenge. She's won Wimbledon. She's in amazing form right now after winning Berlin. I'm very proud of how I competed, how I kept pushing and how I came out on top."
At her best after a long time
"I think it was one of the best matches I've played in a long time, and I'm very proud of it. At the same time, I didn't feel like I was doing anything outrageous, which gives me a lot of confidence. I think I was executing the basics very, very well. But yes, I think today I did it very well. I'm very happy to have this level."
Seeking balance between defense and attack
"I think my defense is something I've developed in the last few months. I believe my ability to slice and stay in points longer. But I think the real difference to reach the top will be aggressiveness. I think taking more risks on my shots, calculated risks, and improving, like, the start of the point as well. Against the best, you need to have a weapon in the serve and also from the baseline. I believe I'm working on trying to be more aggressive."
On cloud nine when playing Wimbledon
"When you're in these tournaments, you get into the routine and you don't want it to end. I don't think there's a better feeling than winning here at Wimbledon, winning on Centre Court. Honestly, it makes everything worth it. You forget about everything, all the ups and downs, and many downs when you're out there and win. It's so fleeting. It lasts a few minutes after the match and now. Quickly, you have to get back on track for the next day and the next round. The rest of the night, I'm going to enjoy it because I think it was really special."
Sabalenka in the third round
"I think having won today against Vondrousova, who is also a very good opponent, gives me confidence for my tennis. Of course, Sabalenka is the world number one; she's been very dominant in the women's game in recent years. I know it's going to be a huge challenge. I will have to play really good tennis. The rest of the afternoon, I just want to savor it and enjoy. As for bad luck, you want to play against the best. You're going to have to face them at some point if you want to win one of these tournaments. Even though it's early in the tournament, I look forward to the opportunity."
A different Raducanu from the one who faced Vondrousova last time in February
"I think today I was much clearer about what I was trying to do. I also have more confidence in my own game now. I think it was a very tough stage for me at that time of the year when I didn't have a coach. I had very little confidence. As a player, I suppose you go through lows in the season when you lack a bit. I leaned much more on myself compared to the beginning of the year. I believe the direction of the last few months, based on consistency, has helped me a lot."
Recipe for beating the world number one
"I will have to be aggressive, but choose my moments and not be a bit exaggerated. I think you can also fall into that trap. I don't think I'm going to go out there and overpower her in size and power. I believe I'll have to try to be creative as well."
Grass, a surface where everything evens out
"I think grass helps a lot. The new balls give a bit more play. At the same time, I think once you've played a few games or had a few long rallies, these Slazenger balls puff up quite quickly and become quite heavy and slow. I think this benefits big hitters because they have time to set up and give it a go. I think with grass, you're rewarded for staying in the ball a bit longer because a misstep, a cut in the box, is very hard to handle. I think you feel incentivized to chase a ball more and try to retrieve it and turn points around."
Grounded
"I think the first round was extremely tough, given the matchup and everything else. I'm very proud of the composure I showed in the first round. Today was a different challenge, obviously against a Grand Slam champion, a very tough but very crafty opponent. I believe, of course, that keeping expectations low always helps. It's very hard to put into practice. You're always tough on yourself. I guess I’m the first one to get down on myself and be my harshest critic. I think it's best to take things one at a time, and that's what I did very well today. I stayed in the moment really well."
Grateful for the warmth of the Centre Court fans
"Today I felt great support. The crowd was amazing. It was electrifying. I think there were certain points in the match that were of a very high standard from both ends. I turned around a point that I think is probably the best I've ever played, so it was crazy. I think the audience loved it. I'm very grateful to play on Centre Court. There was a moment in the second set where I looked up and thought: 'My God, how am I going to hit the ball now? I'm playing on Centre Court'. I managed to stay focused. It's very special when you take a moment to realize what you're doing out there."
The key to enduring such a mental sport
"I think tennis is a very tough sport. You lose almost every week. For all the tournaments there are, 26 in a year, you're practically losing 26 weeks a year. It's a very difficult concept to grasp. At the same time, there's a chance the following week. In tennis, you see how players can go from a streak of five, six, or seven consecutive losses to winning a tournament. That changes the whole season. It's a very, very mentally demanding sport. I believe what I've found is that you have to surround yourself with good people, try to win every day, and focus on the process as much as possible. I think it's very hard to be happy with the results because there are so many ups and downs. It's a rollercoaster," says a Raducanu who, after many downturns, is now back at the top of her game. It remains to be seen how long she keeps climbing; the answer will come on Friday against Sabalenka.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Raducanu: "Ha sido uno de los mejores partidos que he jugado en mucho tiempo"
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