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Emma Raducanu lowers expectations ahead of Wimbledon return – after Tim Henman predicts former US Open winner fit and ready for week two

Posted on by Dsen .N

  • The 21-year-old will return to Center Court to start her SW19 campaign
  • Raducanu missed the 2023 event due to recovery from multiple surgeries
  • She also paid tribute to Andy Murray, who fought for his swan song

By Tamara Prenn

Published: | Updated:

Emma Raducanu on Saturday tempered her expectations in response to Tim Henman’s prediction that she could reach the second week of Wimbledon, insisting she is a “complete outsider” in her first-round fight against Ekaterina Aleksandrova on Center Court tomorrow.

The 21-year-old Briton is playing for the All England Club for the first time since 2022, after missing last year’s edition due to rehabilitation from an injury.

However, while downplaying her chances of going on a long winning streak this fortnight, Raducanu said she was in the mood for a “scalp” when she faces Alexandrova, the 22nd seed from Russia.

“It’s a match where I’m actually the underdog because she’s much older, much more experienced and ranked much higher,” said Raducanu, who is currently 168th in the world rankings.

“For me it’s a great opportunity to try and get a good scalp, try to enjoy the game I’ve been playing the last few weeks and just get back to that. She’s got some great weapons. On this surface, on grass, she just makes the big weapons stronger. I expect a really tough match.”

Emma Raducanu stressed that she will be a “complete outsider” in the first round match

The 21-year-old returns to Wimbledon for the first time in two years after leaving the court in 2023.

The former US Open champion is now ready to work with her childhood coach Nick Cavaday

“For me, if I can get through the first round, I will be over the moon. I think Tim has higher expectations.

“I feel very confident in my body. Last week I managed to play three matches at a high level and come out of it unscathed. I’m in a really good place.

‘Last year I did a lot of work towards the end of the year to get healthy. I continued to do that throughout the year. There’s no doubt about it.’

About Andy Murray training on Saturday a week after spine surgery, she added: “At a tournament like Wimbledon you will be putting pressure on your body, you will accelerate your recovery as much as possible, you will suffer the consequences that will come later. or during whatever you need to do.

Tim Henman had nothing but positive words to say about Raducan’s return from injury this week

Raducanu has had a promising warm-up for Wimbledon, but he doesn’t want to overdo it

She also spoke of her admiration for Andy Murray, who is set to take part in his final race.

“I’m so happy to see him here because when I think of Wimbledon, I think of Andy. When I was growing up, that was the generation, the hero I looked up to.

“I just feel like it’s the right time and I really hope that on Tuesday or whenever he plays, he’ll be on the match court.”