For another year, Great Britain will have to wait for a singles champion as Emma Raducanu became the final British entry to be dumped out of Wimbledon yesterday.
Raducanu was never really a genuine hope this time around. She’s struggled for fitness and reaching the last 16 does have to be considered a success.
The 21-year-old was beaten in three sets by New Zealand’s Lulu Sun who became the first qualifier to reach the quarters of a Grand Slam since Raducanu on her famous run to US Open glory in 2021.
All was not lost for Raducanu, however, and the hope will be that this run ignites the fire within her to kick on and get back up the rankings.
Billie Jean King was part of the BBC team yesterday at SW19 and the six-time Wimbledon champion had some praise for Raducanu.
What Billie Jean King said about Emma Raducanu after Wimbledon exit
The legendary American appears to be a big fan of Raducanu. She was courtside after yesterday’s Centre Court clash and she still found encouragement from the Brit’s performance.
Raducanu fell to a 2-6, 7-5, 2-6 defeat as Sun hit a yearly record 52 winners during her famous victory on the showpiece court.
King found something to admire about Raducanu and following her nasty fall, she also hopes that there is no recurrence of any of her previous injuries.
She said on BBC Sport: “I think we have to give her time, she’s been through a lot but she’s got guts and I absolutely love that. She loves the crowd here and I also hope she’s okay and there’s no injury problems.”
Raducanu can take heart from Wimbledon showing
To be one set away from a quarter-final at Wimbledon is still quite an achievement from where she was 12 months ago when injuries riddled her body.
Now, there is genuine hope for Raducanu. With the Olympics around the corner and the US Open to follow shortly after there is reason to be cheerful for the youngster.
She came through three matches at Wimbledon and that might have been an achievement that she simply didn’t feel was possible at this year’s event.
Raducanu was given a wildcard for this event and now the challenge for her is to enjoy a little rest and work on getting back up the world rankings.
The US Open winner has been as high as number 10 in the world but a turbulent 2023 with injuries has seen her slip to number 135 in the rankings.
A player of her quality shouldn’t be anywhere near that and with the more games she plays, Raducanu should be capable of climbing the rankings.
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