It’s GOt tO BE... PERFECt
Raducanu: Wimbledon is my role model
By TOM HOPKINSON EMMA RADUCANU wants to be perfect at Wimbledon — just like the place itself.
The 19-year-old Brit sensation will be given a hero’s reception when she makes her first appearance at the AELTC since bursting on to the scene with her run to the fourth round a year ago and then winning the US Open in September.
And after overcoming an injury concern to be here, what was evident as she spoke yesterday is that she is absolutely delighted to be back.
Asked what details strike her most about the All England Club, she said: “It’s just the attention to detail in every single aspect that this place has. “From the flowers to everything. “They have subtle hints of tennis racquets and tennis balls in the carpets.
“The level they go to to make sure this place is pretty much perfect… it’s pretty outstanding.
“That attention to detail is pretty inspiring in itself. If you can take that – how Wimbledon think about their grounds – and apply it to yourself, have those sort of standards of yourself, that’s inspiration in itself.”
Raducanu has had some year, reaching the second week of Wimbledon soon after finishing her A levels last summer and then sealing a shock maiden Grand Slam victory at Flushing Meadows.
And even before her fans have streamed through the gates of this famous sporting arena, she has been basking in the glow of her success.
Raducanu added: “This year I get such a special feeling walking around the grounds.
“I definitely feel that people are behind me.
“Even from some of the people working on the tournament, they’re like, ‘You got this’ and just cheering me on. “That’s pretty special in itself.
“And one of the perks is that I don’t need to cross the road at Aorangi [Wimbledon’s practice courts] to practise now on, like, Court 28 or something.
“That’s definitely a perk. Last year, I came straight out of my exams, I was fresh, ready to play, and I feel the same excitement this year, to be honest, because Wimbledon just brings that out of me.
“But I’m definitely looking forward to it, just going to play like a kid who loves playing tennis.”
Raducanu takes on Alison Van Uytvanck, of Belgium, in the first round tomorrow in a match sandwiched between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s openers on Centre Court.
She added: “That’s a pretty cool line-up.
“Just to be included amongst those names is
special in itself.
“I never would have thought that and I’m obviously looking forward to getting out there.”
Raducanu hopes the side injury she suffered at the Nottingham Open will not cause too many problems and she admits she was not certain throughout last week that she would be fit.
She said: “There were moments earlier on in the week when we weren’t really sure.
“But now it’s full steam ahead. We’re all ready.”