Emma Raducanu has vowed to ‘put it on the line and fight’ in her second round match at Wimbledon against Elise Mertens.
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021.
She said ahead of the match on Court One: ‘Results-wise I have no expectations.
‘I just have expectations of myself to really put myself on the line on the court and fight and not let any frustrations get to me.’
Raducanu walked onto the court with a smile and a wave with noticeable number of empty seats as the Wimbledon crowd cheered and clapped.
Emma Raducanu makes her way onto Court One at Wimbledon ahead of her match against Elise Mertens
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021
The 21-year-old is taking on the world number 33 Belgian (pictured) knowing a win will take her into a third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since her memorable US Open triumph in 2021
Raducanu in action against Mertens during their second round match
The former British number one was one of four Grand Slam champions to receive a wildcard to play on the famous grass at Wimbledon following an injury ravaged 12 months.
But she put that all behind her to race into a 4-0 lead in the first set to make a perfect start against her higher-ranked opponent in front of the adoring crowd that included David Beckham’s son Romeo.
It continued the somewhat family tradition this year of watching the Brit after Beckham Snr sat in the Royal Box of Centre Court alongside his mother Sandra to watch Raducanu in her first round match.
She defeated Renata Zarazua, from Mexico, in her opening match 7-6 6-3 having been inspired by England’s ‘ugly’ winb over Slovakia in the last 16 of the Euros.
Raducanu jokingly compared her performance to that of England’s, with the team scraping past Slovakia 2-1 in extra time.
She said in her post match interview: ‘I was for sure nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis a little bit but at the end of the day you have to just do what it takes to get over the line.
Raducanu’s mother, Renee Zhai, walks past Romeo Beckham to find her seat to watch her daughter
David Beckham and his mother Sandra Beckham sat in the Royal Box of Centre Court to watch Raducanu in her first round match
David Beckham applauds from the Royal Box on day one of the championships
‘Honestly watching the football last night it was like winning ugly, it all counts.
‘It’s incredible, I think there’s such a good buzz in the summertime, although today’s a little bit cloudy, I think the tennis, the football, the Formula 1… it just really uplifts myself.
‘It’s such an amazing atmosphere to be a part of and honestly my motivation is just to keep coming back here and be able to keep playing and feel that buzz.’
Raducanu has appeared at six Grand Slam events since lifting the US Open title in but has not managed to go beyond the second round.