Raducanu

Despite a limited grass-court slate leading up to Wimbledon, England's Emma Raducanu moved on to the second round with a 6-4, 6-4 victory, ...

"I think that coming back here is always going to be a special tournament for me, my home tournament. It helps it all be a positive tool for the future," Raducanu said. I haven't necessarily played badly in a lot of the matches. That is something that I experienced in a positive way last summer because no one really knew who I was. After a tentative start, Raducanu and Van Uytvanck exchanged breaks of serve in the first set, before Raducanu broke the Belgian to make it 5-4 and then served out for the set. "I definitely feel a really good energy," Raducanu said. In terms of energy-wise, I think that I have had a tough year, like it's no secret. "I felt good out there. "I definitely am very happy to be here. "If the last year hadn't have happened, then I think that any 19-year-old walking onto Centre Court would be a positive experience for you. I feel like I've learnt a lot in the last year. "I think Rafa just embodies fight, that sort of energy," Raducanu said.

Emma Raducanu said she was learning all the time as she entered her second year on the circuit but that opponents were also raising their game.

“I was watching Novak warm up and it’s actually quite fascinating to see the differences between him and Rafa. With Rafa you can feel his presence but Novak is extremely easy and fluid and the way he gets his power is very different.” The 28-year-old’s talent is clear, with a good serve, a heavy top-spin forehand and her great athleticism. And how I can find a way and a solution to beat her.” She is navigating the same locker rooms for a second time, facing many of the same opponents and, with her centre court debut complete, returning to the same courts. The pair played in the second round of Indian Wells this year, with Raducanu edging out a win 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. It helps it all be a positive tool for the future,” said Raducanu.

Home hope Emma Raducanu managed her nerves in the first round of Wimbledon. Does she have the game to stop Bad Homburg champion Caroline Garcia?

“For me it feels like a wedding, everybody in white, or a beach party,” she said. “I think she played well last year here, so she likes the grass court from Wimbledon.” Her eclectic game seems built for grass, as evidenced by her recent victory in Berlin, along with Eastbourne, the most prestigious of grass prequels. And one year ago, Jabeur gave those Wimbledon spectators some of her most passionate tennis. I won my first round at every Slam. As a 19-year-old, I pretty much just took my gap year and, [I’m] starting again now. Now she knows the two opponents come out together. “I’m 19 years old,” Raducanu told reporters before the tournament. In Rome, it was a back injury that gave Bianca Andreescu a retirement victory. “The things she already did, I’m dreaming about.” On Wednesday, she’ll play the dangerous Caroline Garcia in a second-round match. Raducanu won three qualifying matches at the US Open and then, inexplicably, seven more in the main draw. Raducanu went 2-3 in her 2021 matches after the US Open. A blister on her finger contributed to a second-round loss to Danka Kovinic at the Australian Open. Her next match, in Guadalajara against Daria Saville, ended when she retired due to a hip injury.