“The last time you played against Maria Sakkari it was quite an important occasion. What are your memories of that event?”
The event to which the media who asked this question in the press conference are referring is the semi-final of the US Open 2021, the sweetest memory of Emma Raducanu’s professional life. The young British player’s path at Wimbledon sees Raducanu face the Greek tennis player, in the 3rd round. It will be a difficult challenge for Emma, against a solid and fit tennis player like the Greek. But Raducanu seems to have overcome the physical problems that have afflicted her in the last troubled months. Signs of recovery had already been seen in the first part of 2024; at Wimbledon, Emma confirmed her excellent psycho-physical form.
“I expect a really tough match. She’s a top player, it’s going to be really tough. But again, one where I’m a complete underdog and I can just enjoy playing in my crowd, my home Slam, keep enjoying myself and try to stay one more day. I was in the semi-finals at the US Open, the circumstances are different in a third round than in a semi-final. The dynamics were different back then. I was a pretty unknown player,” she revealed
Emma Raducanu© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport
Previously, Raducanu had spoken about playing mixed doubles alongside his legendary countryman Andy Murray. The Scot played doubles with his brother Jamie yesterday, losing to Australians John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, receiving an emotional handout from the tournament board. But that won’t be the Scot’s last match at the Championships; first comes the highly anticipated mixed doubles with Raducanu. Emma said it took her 10 seconds to accept Andy Murray’s offer to play mixed doubles.
“At the end of my life, at the end of my career, when I’m like 70, I know I’m going to have that memory of playing Wimbledon with Andy Murray at our home Grand Slam. For me, it was an honor to be asked. They asked me and literally 10 seconds went by, and I was like yeah. For me, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Some things are bigger than tennis. Some things are a once in a lifetime memory that you’ll have for the rest of your life. Playing Wimbledon with Andy Murray, those things don’t happen. Obviously I want to do well with him. I don’t play to lose. I don’t really want to let him down. That’s the one thing I don’t want to do. I’m going to be at my best. We’re trying really hard. I’ll probably be more nervous about that than the singles! I just wish him the best. Wimbledon is Andy Murray and Andy Murray is Wimbledon. I just want to see him do well,” she said.
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