You can beat EM all
Emma adds sizzle to SW19
NEW tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has been told to fear no one at Wimbledon.
The 18-year-old Brit (right) takes on Ajla Tomljanovic today in the last 16.
Former British No.1 Anne Keothavong said: “There is no one who should faze her. She’s the real deal.”
Raducanu will get an extra boost if she wins with Centre Court and Court One becoming the first UK sporting arenas to return to full capacity from tomorrow.
EMMAMANIA promises to hit new heights on the last-ever ‘Manic Monday’ today. Yet this is just the start for the latest star of British tennis.
The world No.338 – the lowest-ranked player left in the Wimbledon singles – will be the crowd favourite against Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic on Court One today.
And Emma Raducanu’s talent, temperament and smile have made her a sensation around the world, with Billie Jean King calling the 18-year-old south Londoner: “Great for Britain, great for tennis.”
Her feat in becoming the youngest home player to reach the last 16 in the Open era is all the more astonishing because she did not play between February 2020 and last month because of Covid restrictions, injuries and then her A-levels.
She only made her WTA debut – and lost in the opening round – in Nottingham last month.
Now the grammar school girl is up with Gareth Southgate, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane as one of the sporting celebrities of the summer, having been signed by Maria Sharapova’s agent.
Anne Keothavong, who has already picked her for her Billie Jean King Cup squad, first hit with Raducanu when she was 11. “I remember thinking she was really special, even then she had the game,” she said.
“But to do it on a big stage on her Grand Slam debut is something else. There’s been so much talk and there’s been a lot of hype but she’s delivering.
“If she can improve and compete on a more consistent basis, who knows how far she can go?
“We’re talking top 10 – she’s the real deal. I want to say let’s not get overexcited, but I’m getting really excited!
“We should celebrate the success but again, she hasn’t had a full year on the tour yet and there’s still room for improvement in so many different areas.”
Three other teenage British women have previously reached the second week in SW19: Deborah Jevans in 1979 (19 years, 48 days), Glynis Coles in 1973 (19 years, 138 days) and Laura Robson in 2013 (19 years, 166 days).
Last-16 ties will be played at Wimbledon on the middle Sunday from next year.