Of all the good things to have come Emma Raducanu’s way since her unparalleled win at the US Open nine months ago, surely none can have given her more pleasure than her excellent first round win at Wimbledon 2022, the place where her odyssey to greatness began 12 months ago.
Drumroll, please… 🥁
Your @HSBC_Sport Play of the Day belongs to @EmmaRaducanu#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/f79H7hKiQh
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2022
From the moment of last Friday’s draw, heads were shaken in gloom when Alison Van Uytvanck was anointed as Raducanu’s initial opponent.
No wonder, given the Belgian’s 12 wins on grass during The Championships build-up – a grim contrast to Raducanu’s own total of 33 minutes in Nottingham before an abdominal injury
But reports of Raducanu’s early demise this Fortnight turned out to be greatly exaggerated. It is only one match, of course, but she played it in a spotlight not so much glaring as potentially blinding.
Yet the No.10 seed came through 6-4, 6-4, crafting a highly intelligent victory in 102 minutes on her Centre Court debut.
First Centre Court appearance. First Centre Court win.
A dream start for @EmmaRaducanu. #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/NmjAO3lvy5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2022
“It’s an incredibly special feeling to be back,” Emma Raducanu told the crowd. “I felt the support the minute I walked out. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through the last year including the tough times.
“It’s all worth it to come through with a win. I know Alison’s an extremely tricky opponent. On grass where the ball stays so low it’s tricky to neutralise her great serve – she hits the ball really hard. I’m extremely pleased and looking forward to coming out in front of you guys again.”
“Every tournament or every match you play, you learn something,” she mused afterwards. “It helps it all become a positive tool for the future. When you haven’t played anyone before, no one knows your game.
“I experienced that in a positive way last summer because no one really knew who I was. Since, people have definitely watched me and raised their level and raised their game.
“I haven’t necessarily played badly in a lot of the matches. Coming back here is always going to be special for me, my home tournament. I’ve got incredible memories. I’m just looking forward to playing here again.”
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