Emma Raducanu Reveals Plans to Tackle ‘Massive Challenge’ Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon

Although Emma Raducanu was successful in outclassing 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, reaching the fourth round is not expected to be an easy affair for her. In the third round at Wimbledon, the home favorite will be up against none other World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka, before reaching another Wimbledon third round, went past Canada’s Carson Branstine and Marie Bouzkova in straights. Raducanu, before knocking out Vondrousova, beat compatriot Mingge Xu. At the press conference after her second-round win, Raducanu admitted that playing Sabalenka would be a huge challenge for her.

I definitely think playing Aryna, she’s No. 1 in the world for a reason. You can’t really do nothing or give nothing balls to her. I’m going to have to be aggressive but pick my moments and not be overly. I think you can fall into that trap, too.

But at the same time, Raducanu doesn’t want to accept defeat without giving her best. Her solution to tackling the Belarusian is to incorporate creativity in her game.

I think I’m going to have to try and be creative as well. I know it’s going to be a massive challenge. I’m going to have to play some really good tennis. You want to play the best.

Emma Raducanu added

Raducanu has locked horns with Sabalenka once: in the third round of the 2024 Indian Wells, which the latter won in straight sets. Both the players are searching for their first title on grass. Raducanu hasn’t yet lifted a singles title since her US Open triumph as a qualifier in 2021. The 27-year-old is aiming to win her fourth title of the season here.

Raducanu produced her best at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2024 when she reached the fourth round. Last year, Lulu Sun ended her campaign. Sabalenka played the semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Last year, however, an injury forced her to skip the tournament.

Before Wimbledon, the 22-year-old played two grass-court tournaments. At the Queen’s Club Championships, the Brit lost to Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals. Then in Eastbourne, Maya Joint knocked her out in the last 16. Raducanu produced her best performance this season at the Miami Open, where she registered four consecutive wins (the first time since the 2021 US Open), reaching the quarterfinals and losing to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula.

Aryna Sabalenka makes her feelings known on defeats of the top seeds

Aryna Sabalenka is the lone top 5 seed on the women’s side still alive at Wimbledon. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, and Qinwen Zheng suffered a shock first-round exit.