Emma Raducanu has been playing some inspired tennis over the last week, but she just could not sustain it all the way at Wimbledon.
As the best Great British hopes dropped like flies from the competition, she remained the one constant, and as the draw opened up expectation grew.
However, it is worth noting the progress of this incredible young lady despite her defeat, from a player crippled by injuries last year to one now capable of challenging anyone.
Emma Raducanu must improve one key area
Speaking to the Wimbledon press after her crushing defeat to Lulu Sun, the mood around centre court was understandably downbeat after such a result.
Especially given how the Great British star had fought so hard, winning the second set after she was so clearly off it during the first, only to slip at the start of the third set and struggle to recapture her rhythm.
However, Raducanu would seek to make no excuses, instead focusing on what she needs to do to improve as a player.
This is a refreshing alteration from the 21-year-old, who continues to show her love for the game and exceeding maturity for someone so young.
She claimed: ‘There are areas I need to keep improving. Certain things I have been doing better over the grass-court season. I think I improved a few things. My serve got better. But I think I need to work on the consistency of it. Being good every day, not just like some days. It honestly makes me more determined.
‘I think I really put myself first in the last few months. Now, tennis is the only thing that’s really occupying my time, my mind… it’s all I wanna do. I think that desire and fire is back. I just wanna keep building on that.’
There is every chance that dropping out of the mixed doubles with Andy Murray, and the backlash Raducanu received from Judy Murray of all people, had a hand in yesterday’s loss too.
A missed Wimbledon opportunity for Emma Raducanu
Whilst Raducanu still enjoyed a fine run at Wimbledon this year, matching her best-ever result just a year after she endured double wrist surgery, you can’t help but feel like this was a massive missed opportunity.
After all, the draw has arguably never been so wide-open, with almost all of the big hitters having been dumped out.
Aryna Sabalenka pulled out before the tournament, and since then Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Marketa Vondrousova have all been defeated too.
Had she overcome Sun, Donna Vekic would have waited in the quarterfinals. Overcoming the Croatian would have seen her meet one of Emma Navarro or Jasmine Paolini in the semis.
All tough opposition, but none as formidable as that list aforementioned.
Raducanu really could have enjoyed a run to the final here, had she maintained her form and things gone her way. It’s such a shame to see her dumped out when she was so close to it.
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