As Wimbledon 2025 kicks off on June 30, all eyes are on an electrifying all-British first-round clash between Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, and 17-year-old wildcard Mimi Xu. The matchup, set to unfold on the hallowed grass courts of the All England Club, pits the seasoned world No. 38 against a rising star who’s brimming with confidence and unafraid to challenge her idol. Xu, ranked 318, has sent a bold message to Raducanu, declaring herself “really ready to embrace” the opportunity, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter that could signal a passing of the torch in British tennis.
Raducanu, now 22, is no stranger to Wimbledon’s spotlight. Her fairy-tale run to the fourth round in 2021 as an 18-year-old wildcard captivated the nation, and she repeated that feat last year, solidifying her status as Britain’s No. 1 female player. Yet, her preparations for this year’s tournament have been marred by challenges. A niggling back injury, which forced her to withdraw from Auckland earlier in 2025 and flared up during a quarterfinal loss to Zheng Qinwen at the HSBC Championships, has raised concerns. Compounded by undisclosed personal difficulties, Raducanu has tempered expectations, admitting, “Truthfully I don’t expect much from myself this year.” Her recent loss to 19-year-old Maya Joint at Eastbourne, where she battled windy conditions and fell 6-4, 1-6, 6-7 (4-7), underscored the physical and mental hurdles she faces. Still, Raducanu’s resilience shone through at Queen’s, where she reached the quarterfinals and reclaimed her top British ranking, fueled by a newfound joy in her game.
Enter Mimi Xu, the Welsh teenager making her Grand Slam debut with a wildcard earned through a stellar junior career and early professional strides. Xu, who watched Raducanu’s US Open triumph at age 13, now stands across the net from her role model. Her journey to this moment was marked by chaos—she learned of her draw while moving into an Airbnb, scrambling to check the Wimbledon website after cryptic messages from her coach and mother. “It’s quite funny because we’re moving into the Airbnb this morning at five past 10 and I get a message from my coach, and he was like: ‘What an exciting draw!’” Xu recounted. “My mum’s getting messages saying, ‘That’s so good, so exciting,’ and I’m like: ‘Oh my gosh, what is the draw? Who am I playing?’” When she discovered her opponent was Raducanu, Xu’s excitement only grew.
Xu’s confidence is well-founded. She’s already notched two victories over top-100 players on grass this summer, reached quarterfinals at W50 Kyoto and W35 Nottingham, and claimed her first W35 title in Aldershot. “I’ve been playing really well,” Xu said. “I was probably the first one on the grass this year. So I think my game really suits grass. I’m really confident in my game at the moment.” Her familiarity with big stages—she played on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the 2024 US Open—adds to her poise. “I said to my coach: ‘When am I going to get to play on Centre Court again or Court One?’” she shared. “I’m really ready to embrace it and really just go out and enjoy it.”
The duo share a unique bond, often chatting in Mandarin due to their shared Chinese heritage through their parents. Their camaraderie deepened when Xu served as a hitting partner for Raducanu at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga in November 2024. Yet, Xu is undaunted by their friendship, stating, “I’m going to go out there, enjoy every moment, give it a good go. And I believe I’ve got a good chance if I do all that.” Raducanu, wary of the threat, praised Xu’s game, saying, “I think it’s a very dangerous match, very difficult. Mimi is a really, really good player. I practised with her a few times. She has a lot of weapons, moves really well.” Recalling her own fearless debut at 18, Raducanu added, “For her it’s one where there’s nothing to lose. It’s a great feeling. You just feel completely fearless.”
Security concerns add another layer to Raducanu’s Wimbledon narrative. Earlier this year, she endured a harrowing stalking incident in Dubai, where a man followed her across four tournaments, leaving her in tears during a match. Wimbledon’s robust security measures, including a sweep of the public ballot, blocked the individual from attending. “Wimbledon and everyone did an amazing job,” Raducanu said, expressing relief. “I got a notification, the police contacted me and told me everything was OK.” Enhanced protection at UK events has helped her feel “comfortable and safe,” allowing her to focus on her game.
If Raducanu overcomes Xu, she faces a daunting path, potentially meeting 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler in the second round, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka looming in the third. For Xu, a win would mark a historic upset and propel her into the global spotlight. As Wimbledon unfolds, this clash of generations—Raducanu’s experience against Xu’s fearless ambition—promises to electrify fans and test both players’ mettle on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
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