Emma embracing ‘special’ feeling back on big stage

A YEAR ago, Emma Raducanu was a wide-eyed teenager, struck by the game’s biggest stars.

One of her notable highlights from Wimbledon 12 months ago was a simple ‘hello’ from the then world No1, Novak Djokovic.

She was an unknown, fresh from having taken her A-levels and unable to play many tournaments in tennis’s lower tier because of the ongoing impact of Covid.

This time, the 19-year-old should not be short of greetings from Djokovic, or the rest of the world’s leading players for that matter. But inside she said that she felt no less enamoured by the significance of the occasion, nor the star status of those around her.

“Just to be watching Rafa [Nadal] and Novak at such close range, to be able to sort of take part and try to learn from them, walk among these great players, it’s still special,” she said.

“I don’t think it really ever changes when you’re watching those greats. It’s amazing to have them around, leading such a great example. It’s only my second Wimbledon and I’m really new to this still. It’s a really special feeling.”

The one major change from a year ago is that the British No1 is no longer an unknown, thanks to her run to the fourth round of the Championships on her Grand Slam debut and then her unlikely US Open triumph a few weeks later. And she readily admits people know her game inside out now, and that “everyone wants to beat me”.

Her opening-round match is an awkward one, against Alison Van Uytvanck, already a tournament winner on grass this summer and with a game that could see Raducanu out before the end of this opening day.

The big question mark for the teenager is the side strain she suffered at the Nottingham Open. She gave herself a clean bill of health during her pre-tournament press conference over the weekend, and yet doubts still remain how she fares physically, with her body having repeatedly let her down this season.

On her debut, she proved to be the darling of No1 Court, where her run ended against Ajla Tomljanovic in the fourth round after suffering breathing difficulties. Today marks her Centre Court debut, sandwiched between Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“Just to be included among those names is special in itself,” she said. “I never would have thought that. I’m obviously looking forward to getting out there. I definitely feel like people are behind me.

“Last year, I came straight out of exams, I was fresh, ready to play. I feel the same excitement this year. I think Wimbledon just brings that out of me especially.

“I’m just going to play like a kid who loves playing tennis. It’s always been my dream to step out on Centre Court. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do and [what I] started playing tennis for.”