HEY BRITAIN, LET’S GET RADDY TO RUMBLE

Emma’s a Centre Court treasure after only one match there - now she hopes the love affair will sweep her to another fairytale

LEAPING about as though a second Grand Slam title had just been sealed, US Open champion Emma Raducanu could barely contain her excitement.

Never mind that this was a gritty first-round triumph over a player ranked more than 30 places lower. Never mind that opponent Alison

Van Uytvanck made more than her fair share of unforced errors in a match that was hardly a classic.

This was special for a teenager who majors in special moments.

And it was special for the Centre Court crowd, a sort of formal, raucous coronation of the girl who conquered America last year.

Make no mistake, after this first appearance on one of sport’s most iconic venues – celebrating its 100th anniversary – Raducanu (above) will be the big draw here for many years to come.

Instantly, the rapport with the crowd, the interaction, was natural, was vibrant.

Not yet into her 20s, Raducanu was already a national sporting treasure, now she is officially a Centre Court favourite.

It is so hard not to take to Raducanu, so hard not to warm to her exuberance.

Considering she has been billed as the face of Wimbledon 2022, nerves were probably always going to be some sort of issue for her. Throw in the fact injuries have meant she has played very little in recent months – she pulled out of her last tournament after just seven games with a side-strain – and this was a

tough challenge against the hard-hitting Belgian.

And, don’t forget, she had to pull out of the fourth round here in 2021, with Wimbledon legend John Mcenroe questioning her mental strength.

So, in terms of pressure, it was probably just as well the arena was not even half-full when the match began, most punters having a late lunch.

By the time Centre Court had been filled to capacity, Raducanu had found some sort of groove, despite having her serve broken, and was clearly inspired by the home support. And as Van Uytvanck became more frustrated, the Brit saved two break points in the 10th game, which she won to clinch the first set.

Raducanu failed to capitalise on a string of break points in the opening game of the second set and that gave Van Uytvanck some hope. But Raducanu came back from 3-1 down to power through to the next round.

That was what characterised this particular victory for the world No.11.

She was far from the fluent best that took her from the qualifying tournament to a first Grand Slam title in

New York.

After Van Uytvanck had left the court, Raducanu, who meets Caroline Garcia of France in the second round, gave an interview in the manner you would expect from an excited teenager.

“It’s amazing to walk on these courts,” she said. “I am so happy to stay another day. Hopefully, I can look forward to playing in front of you guys again.”

There’s no ‘hopefully’ about it, Emma. We will all see you, same place, probably same time, tomorrow.