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side of the court when I really go for it.” The US Open champion had to pull out of her last tournament with an injury earlier this month and there were concerns she might not even make it to the Wimbledon start-line.

And since that remarkable triumph in New York last year, her form has been mixed. But Raducanu believes she thrives on the sport’s grandest stages, saying: “Big matches and big occasions are the ones that I get most fired-up for. I love playing on the big stages, on big occasions. Instead of shying away from it, I really thrive on it.” And Raducanu revealed she is taking inspiration from Rafal Nadal, whose logo is on her playing top. She said: “Rafa just embodies fight. That’s what I’m bringing in. In terms of energy, I have had a tough year. It’s no secret.

“But it is all worth it just to go out on Centre Court and get a win like that. All the lessons I’ve taken from the last year will hold me in good stead.”

And whatever happens now, Raducanu, who faces France’s Caroline Garcia in the second round tomorrow, will treasure her first match on Centre Court. The Brit said: “I really tried to cherish every single point out there. I played every point like it could have been one of my last on that court. It was an amazing experience.”

Garcia has won three tournaments on grass but Raducanu beat her at Indian Wells earlier this year.