BBC pundit says how rival WTA players will feel about playing Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon

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Emma Raducanu has come on leaps and bounds in recent times, having endured a very tricky time with injury.

The former world number 10 spent plenty of time off the courts due to ankle and wrist issues, but those are now well behind her.

She has proven that with her efforts on the grass courts lately, with Raducanu going from strength to strength on the surface.

And that comes at just the right time, with the Briton undoubtedly hopeful of enjoying a lengthy stay at Wimbledon.

A semi-final run was secured at the Nottingham Open, along with a quarter-final run at the Eastbourne International.

Naomi Broady makes Emma Raducanu claim ahead of Wimbledon

Raducanu can certainly be proud of her efforts in both competitions, having lost to the eventual winners of both competitions.

She does, however, remain an underdog going into Wimbledon given the quality of her opponents on the WTA circuit.

Former British player Naomi Broady is, however, predicting big things for the 21-year-old at SW19 given that underdog status.

“Emma won’t be a name anyone wants to see next to theirs,” said Broady, as per BBC Sport. “She isn’t the firm favourite to win every match and I say that as a positive thing. 

“I think sometimes when you are more of the underdog you can play more freely.”

Can Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter shine at Wimbledon?

There is a long list of British hopefuls looking to leave a lasting mark on Wimbledon in front of their home crowd.

The fans will be desperate to see a home winner, which could just pile the pressure on the young shoulders of Raducanu.

But unlike Britain’s men’s hope Jack Draper, the women’s burden could be split among the likes of Raducanu and Boulter.

The former British number one faces Ekaterina Alexandrova in round one, with the current British number one taking on Tatjana Maria.

The British duo will definitely be supporting each other at the Grand Slam, having just gone head-to-head in a thriller at Nottingham.

Boulter will be full of confidence after going on to lift that trophy, while Raducanu will also be on a high after beating world number five Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne.

The second round win marked the first time she had beaten a top-10 player, but also helped break a 40-year-old record, marking the first time in over 40 years that three British players made it to the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.