The former US Open winner has expressed optimism ahead of this year's third Grand Slam, saying "preparation has been going well." Raducanu reached Round 4 in 2021 but missed last year's event through injury.
In a press release via sponsor Porsche, Emma Raducanu said she is "excited" ahead of this year's Wimbledon, due to get underway on 1 July.
"Preparation has been going well," she said. "I have had a good last few days training in London before Eastbourne this week so excited to get going."
And Raducanu is keen to make up for lost time after missing most of 2023, including Wimbledon, through injury.
After a stunning breakout performance in 2021, when she reached the round of 16, a year later she lost two rounds earlier, to Caroline Garcia, 6-3 6-3.
Will Raducanu ever win another Slam?
Yes
No
"I'm most looking forward to the stage which I missed last year and now I’m looking forward to coming back and being in a better place than I was in 2022."
She described Wimbledon as the tournament "every player dreams of winning" owing largely to its "rich history and traditions, like the pristine grass courts and iconic white dress code ."
Raducanu's pre-Wimbledon build-up is going well too. After skipping the French open in preparation for the grass court season, Raducanu elected to play the Nottingham Open where she reached the semi-finals before going down in a tight three-setter to defending champion Katie Boulter.
"I took a lot of positives from Nottingham. I performed well, and it showed me that my game is strong on the grass, so yes, it's given me positivity heading into Wimbledon. Most importantly for me though at Wimbledon I feel in a place where I’m in love with the sport. Whatever happens this Wimbledon, I have full belief in myself for the years to come too."
Clay struggles
Next up is Eastbourne, where she will play Sloane Stephens in Round 1.
"I’ve never played in Eastbourne. It’s on the water which I like, minus the wind maybe and it's another home tournament where I get to play in front of a home crowd. That’s the best part."
"I love the grass and think a lot of British players would say the same," the 2021 US Open winner continued. "I've always said that grass and hard courts are my favourite surfaces as they suit my game well. Me and clay are working on our relationship."
Making history
As for the special relationship she has with Wimbledon, Raducanu said: "The courts at Wimbledon are obviously pristine and look beautiful. The aesthetics and tradition that come with the tournament are unparalleled. Being a British player at Wimbledon is incredible, the atmosphere is hard to put into words. I particularly love court 1 because I feel the fans get more involved, that coupled with everything else that Wimbledon brings gives you extra motivation to perform well."
No British woman has won the singles title at Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977 and Raducanu will be desperate to achieve that dream at SW19 over the coming weeks.
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