As the lush green courts of Wimbledon prepare to host the world’s tennis elite, British No. 1 Emma Raducanu finds herself at the center of attention, not just for her talent but for her resilience in the face of ongoing injury challenges. The 22-year-old, whose fairy-tale 2021 US Open victory made her a global sensation, has faced a turbulent buildup to the 2025 Championships, battling persistent back spasms that have disrupted her season. Her recent second-round exit at the Eastbourne Open against Australian teenager Maya Joint, a grueling 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) defeat, raised fresh concerns about her fitness. Yet, Raducanu remains steadfast, assuring fans she will take to the Wimbledon grass regardless of her condition, a testament to her grit and determination to shine at her home Grand Slam.
Raducanu’s journey to Wimbledon has been anything but smooth. The back issues that plagued her at the Australian and French Opens earlier this year forced her to withdraw from the Berlin Open and hampered her performance at Queen’s Club, where she reached the singles quarter-finals and doubles last eight alongside Katie Boulter. At Eastbourne, she looked visibly uncomfortable, moving gingerly after slipping behind the baseline during her match against Joint. “I’ve just been managing it, but hopefully I can recover,” Raducanu said, acknowledging the persistent pain. “I still have a few days before Wimbledon, so I’m looking forward to kind of recovering, and hopefully it settles.” Despite the discomfort, she emphasized her ability to compete, noting, “I would say it bothers me. I wouldn’t say I can’t move. Like a lot of athletes, we all carry something that we’re managing and playing through, but I’d just say that it’s okay.”
The Eastbourne defeat was particularly emotional, coming after a first-round win over American Ann Li that left Raducanu in tears, hinting at personal challenges beyond her physical struggles. “I feel quite tired. Just going through some stuff and I need to do my best to get my head in the game ahead of next week,” she admitted, revealing the mental toll of her recent setbacks. With Wimbledon starting on June 30, the quick turnaround leaves little time for recovery, but Raducanu remains optimistic. “I can play, and I can still put out some pretty decent tennis in the situation,” she stated, planning to rest and resume practice by Friday to prepare for her first-round clash against 17-year-old British wildcard Mingge Xu.
Raducanu’s draw at Wimbledon is daunting. A potential second-round match against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler awaits, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka looming in the third round. Despite never advancing beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she burst onto the scene in 2021, Raducanu’s resolve is unwavering. “No, I think I will step on the court regardless,” she declared when asked if she might skip the tournament, a bold statement reflecting her fighting spirit. Her preparation includes working with new fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, previously associated with Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova, to build resilience after a 2023 season marred by wrist and ankle surgeries.
Off the court, Raducanu has faced additional challenges, including a stalking ordeal that saw a man banned from WTA events after following her to four tournaments in February. Wimbledon’s security measures, praised by Raducanu as “an amazing job,” blocked his attempt to buy tickets, ensuring her safety at SW19. “I feel a difference, and that reassures me and makes me feel more comfortable,” she said, grateful for the enhanced protection. As she gears up for Wimbledon, where she’s also an Evian ambassador alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Raducanu’s focus is on channeling her mental and physical strength. Her journey embodies the spirit of a champion who, despite setbacks, is determined to inspire on the grass courts that launched her remarkable career.
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