Emma Raducanu has not looked this unfettered and carefree at a grand slam since she won the US Open. And as winners spun and sped off her racket, and the women’s draw opened up further after her 6-1, 6-2 slam dunk of Elise Mertens, a question began to form. Just how far into this fortnight might she go?
The 21-year-old is ranked only 135 in the world after the surgery to her wrists and an ankle, but the bookies are already taking cover. In fact they make her a favourite to make the semi-finals. Fanciful? Not after this.
Mertens is no mug. She has been ranked as high as 12 in the world and was expected to give a stern test of the Briton’s credentials. Yet long before the end the Belgian was staring wistfully at her box, seeking solutions that never came.
The last time Raducanu played on Court One, as an 18-year-old in her first grand slam in 2021, she suffered nerves and a shortness of breath, which forced her to retire in her fourth-round match against Ajla Tomljanovic. This time it was only the crowd that was left breathless.
“I’m super-pleased with that performance,” Raducanu said. “I just had so much fun on the court. I felt the atmosphere was amazing with the crowd – I really fed off of it and played some really good stuff.”
Her only false notes came at the start, as first she sent a forehand long and then double-faulted in the opening two points of the match. But after rattling off the next four points to hold serve she then got motoring.
Within 21 minutes, Mertens was 4-0 down and watching as Raducanu jumped into forehands and sprayed winners from all over the court. While the 28-year-old finally got on the scoreboard, the first set was quickly gone – and soon afterwards the match.
When Raducanu was asked whether this was the best tennis she had played for years, the crowd answered for her with loud shouts of “yes”. It was hard to argue.
“I knew all the hard yards would lead to something and I am just happy I can reap some of the rewards here in Wimbledon,” she said.
Those rewards could also come in the mixed doubles, where she will form an exciting partnership with Andy Murray. “I got asked, and in literally 10 seconds I was like: ‘Yeah.’
“For me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young girl watching the Olympics.
“At the end of my life, I know I’m going to have that memory of playing Wimbledon with Andy Murray on a home slam. It was an honour to be asked. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two about coming to the net.”
She is also determined that their makeshift pairing won’t be there to make up the numbers. “I really don’t want to let him down,” she said. “I’m going to be on my best form, trying hard. And I’ll probably be more nervous for that than the singles.”
But for the next few days Raducanu’s focus will be on the singles’ draw. In the third round she will play the ninth seed, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, whom she beat in straight sets in their US Open semi-final in 2021 on the way to winning the first and so far only title of her career.
That is not the only echo of three years ago, either. Back then she benefited from a draw that opened up when a number of seeds crashed out early. And the signs are that is happening again.
The pre-tournament favourite, Aryna Sabalenka, who was in her quarter, pulled out with injury. As did the 22nd seed, Ekaterina Alexandrova, who Raducanu should have played in the first round.
With other seeds in her quarter, including Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva, beaten, Raducanu knows she has an opportunity – even though she expects Sakkari to be a step up again. “I’m expecting a really tough match,” she said. “She’s top 10 in the world, so it’s going to be a really difficult one.”
When asked about whether there could be parallels between Wimbledon 2024 and New York in 2021, she was just as cautious. “It’s very easy to get caught up in parallels, and things that have happened in the past,” she said. “But no situation is the same. Dynamics are always changing.”
In fact Raducanu insisted that she is so focused that she didn’t even know that the general election is on Thursday. “I think I’ll have a lie-in, then I’ll come to practice. I didn’t even know it was tomorrow, to be honest.”
However the verdict of No 1 Court is already in as Raducanu left the court to a standing ovation. She will hope it proves infectious.