The grass courts of London’s Queen’s Club have become a stage for British tennis pride, with Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper leading the charge at the 2025 HSBC Championships. Raducanu, the 22-year-old former US Open champion, has not only stormed into the quarter-finals but also reclaimed her status as British No. 1, overtaking Katie Boulter with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over Slovakia’s Rebecca Šramková on June 12. Amid her own resurgence, Raducanu took a moment to praise compatriot Draper, the men’s world No. 5, for his ability to thrive under pressure as they both gear up for Wimbledon. Her reflections on the electric home crowd and Draper’s laser-like focus paint a vivid picture of a new era for British tennis.
Raducanu’s journey at Queen’s has been a triumph of resilience and connection with her roots. Facing Šramková, she navigated a turbulent first set, squandering a 5-0 lead before sealing it 6-4 with a crucial hold to love. The second set saw her dominate, dropping just five points on serve and clinching the match in 76 minutes with a blistering forehand that Šramková could only net. “I’m really pleased to get through that, it wasn’t easy,” Raducanu said, acknowledging the tight moments that tested her resolve. The crowd’s roar proved pivotal, especially when Šramková rallied back in the first set. “It was really helpful when it was coming back in the first set and I was letting that lead come back to have a big roar of support to get me through that last service game,” she noted, her smile reflecting the warmth of the fans chanting “Emma, we love you!” as she signed a camera lens with “home turf” and a smiley face.
Her admiration for Draper, who is set to compete at Queen’s from June 16-22, underscores their mutual respect as Britain’s brightest stars. Asked about how Draper might handle Wimbledon’s intense home expectations, Raducanu hailed his mental strength. “I know Jack is an incredible competitor, a great tennis player, and I think when he’s out there in those moments on the court, all he’s thinking or is seeing is that yellow tennis ball, and I think he shuts off the crowd and the pressure really well,” she said during her post-match press conference. “I don’t really know a fighter like him. He competes incredibly well. I think he will do just fine.” Her words echo their longstanding bond, forged through years of shared dreams and challenges, with Draper previously calling her “a real special talent” in a 2024 Vogue interview.
Draper’s 2025 season has been a breakout, with an ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells and a Madrid final propelling him to a career-high No. 5. His grass-court pedigree, highlighted by a stunning 7-6(3), 6-3 upset over Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s in 2024, makes him a Wimbledon favorite. “The players feel amazing there. The courts are incredible,” Draper enthused about Queen’s, a sentiment Raducanu shares. His ability to block out external pressures, as Raducanu noted, was evident in his 2024 US Open semi-final run, inspired by her own 2021 Flushing Meadows triumph. “What Emma did was obviously incredibly inspiring,” Draper said then, crediting her fairy-tale run as fuel for his own Grand Slam ambitions.
Raducanu’s Queen’s campaign, her first on these historic courts, carries extra weight as the WTA event returns after a 52-year absence. Her 6-1, 6-2 rout of Cristina Bucșa in the first round set the tone, while her doubles partnership with Boulter—nicknamed “Boultercanu”—electrified fans with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Jiang Xinyu and Wu Fang-Hsien. “Katie made me feel so comfortable,” Raducanu said of their synergy, despite admitting to pre-match nerves. The duo’s Billie Jean King Cup preparation underscores their commitment to team success, though their doubles run ended against top seeds Kichenok and Routliffe. Now, as the last Brit standing in singles, Raducanu faces top seed Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals, a match that could push her into the top 25 and secure a Wimbledon seeding.
The Queen’s crowd has been a game-changer for Raducanu, who confessed to initial nerves but now thrives on their energy. “I love playing on those smaller, outside courts where you really feel the support,” she said, recalling chats with fans while filling her water bottle. Her resurgence, after a stalking ordeal in Dubai and injury setbacks, is bolstered by a revamped coaching team, including Mark Petchey and childhood mentor Nick Cavaday. As she eyes Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round in 2024, Raducanu’s form and Draper’s tenacity signal a golden era for British tennis, with the home crowd ready to roar them toward glory.
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