'I don't expect much from myself this year': Emma Raducanu downplays Wimbledon hopes amidst recent injury

Emma Raducanu acknowledged that she arrives at Wimbledon without great expectations, after suffering an injury in recent weeks. The 2021 US Open champion has had good runs at Wimbledon in the past, reaching the 4th round on two occasions.

A year ago, she was surprised by New Zealander Lulu Sun in the Round of 16, although she had achieved three consecutive wins in the main draw, something she hadn't managed since her title at Flushing Meadows three years prior. This time, she started the grass-swing with high expectations and a great performance at Queen's Club Championships.

The British No. 1 reached the quarterfinals at Queen's, but ultimately fell to Zheng Qinwen. Nevertheless, she seemed to be in good form, although an injury forced her to withdraw from the Berlin Ladies Open the following week.

This week, she competed at the Eastbourne Open, defeating Ann Li in the first round, but then lost in the second round to Maya Joint in a tight third-set tie-break. The 19-year-old Australian subsequently went on to win her first WTA title by defeating Alexandra Eala in the final.

Raducanu arrives as the British No. 1 at the tournament, having overtaken Katie Boulter in the rankings a few weeks ago. She is set to debut this Monday against her compatriot, 17-year-old Mingge Xu, the youngest player in the main draw and a wildcard recipient making her first WTA-level appearance.

"Truthfully, I don't expect much from myself this year,” Raducanu commented in her pre-tournament press conference. “I know I've just, you know, been dealing with certain things, and I just want to go out there and embrace the moment, I want to embrace the occasion.”

“I know there's not many opportunities to be playing at Wimbledon, you get it once a year and for a finite amount of time, but I'm just looking forward to going out there and feeling the surroundings and atmosphere."

Raducanu is currently ranked as world No. 38 and will need a good run to defend last year's points. Should she overcome Xu in her debut, she could face a potential second-round clash against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.