THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

E. RADUCANU/M. Xu

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Does it feel good to get that first win under your belt.

EMMA RADUCANU: It feels amazing. First rounds are never easy. It was an interesting dynamic today, so I'm really pleased to have gotten through that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talking about playing a Brit, flattens the crowd a little bit out there. They're not sure who to cheer for.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's really awkward playing a Brit, especially someone younger. I think the crowd are great both ways. I think it was nice for her to also receive that sort of welcome, that sort of support.

She's a great player with big weapons. But yeah, congrats for her to kind of make it to get the wild card opportunity. I'm sure, like, she's going to do great things in the future.

Q. Have you ever played with champagne corks flying over your head?

EMMA RADUCANU: No, it was a first. It was a first. Pretty entertaining. I'm glad they were having a good time. It loosened me up a bit at the end of the first set. I can't not laugh at that.

Q. You play Vondrousova next. Are you going to watch some of her matches from Berlin or leave that to your team and just focus on your own game?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yes, she obviously won Berlin, 500. Beat really top players on the way to the title. Really difficult match. Obviously has won Wimbledon. Amazing grass court player, in general. I think it's going to be a really difficult match. I'm going to need to play very well to get over the line.

Q. Speaking of Marketa, how familiar are you with her journey of early success, then the pressures, dealing with the pressure? Do you see any parallels?

EMMA RADUCANU: I remember watching her when I was young making the final of the French. She was so young there. Always seemed like way above me, way further ahead than me. Then she had a, like, wrist surgery and then came back and won Wimbledon, which is incredible. So she's a really, really talented player. We played earlier on in the year in Abu Dhabi. I know she's super tough.

It's very difficult to maintain that top level after winning a slam. But yeah, she's really playing in form right now.

Q. I think you got through three racquets in the first game and a half. Could you talk me through what happened.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I just felt the racquets were flying a little bit. First couple shots in the warm-up, I was like, this is just pinging. If you're a little bit nervous especially, it's not nice to feel like the ball is just flying off your strings. You want a little bit more grip.

I just sent one off to get strung a little bit tighter. It came back, then I started changing every ball change. But it was pretty lively out there.

Q. You obviously played Marketa here same stage four years ago. Kind of seemed to be the win when everyone started taking notice. What do you remember from that day and that match?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I remember I played really good tennis. I remember I played one of the best matches I've played. Was so aggressive, took the ball on. Obviously since she's won the Wimbledon title and had a lot more success on grass.

I remember that was, yeah, a big change, a big turning point for me. I'm looking forward, again, to have the opportunity to be in the second round. I'm grateful for that.

Q. Today you seemed particularly vocal. A lot of c'mons. Was that something intentional or something you just felt in the moment?

EMMA RADUCANU: No, I think first rounds, it's not easy. Difficult also circumstances where you wanted to get yourself in the game, keep your head in the game, stay focused.

Yeah, I think that I just really wanted to win that match (smiling).

Q. You're one of six Brits to go through, seven if Katie gets through, which will be equal or the most Brits to go through on a single day at Wimbledon. How great is that for the Brits?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's incredible I think so many Brits in the draw. It's great that they're giving opportunities, as well, to the younger players. I feel like they're doing that more so now than in the past. It's great experience for them.

Yeah, the Brits have done so well. I saw Sonay win earlier. That was a big win. Katie is in a tough match right now, but playing really well. I think it's great for the spectators, too, to have so many Brits to follow in the draw. As we win matches, it's more and more exciting.

Q. You're coached by Mark Petchey. What has been your favorite moment with Petch so far? As a coach, what would you give him out of 10?

EMMA RADUCANU: I'd give him 11 out of 10. He's been, like, everything the last few months for me. I've really enjoyed being around him. He's helped me so much on all fronts, tennis, off court.

I think the most memorable moment... We've had quite a few. Like, there was one hike we did in L.A. We walked for, like, two and a half hours. We spoke. It was one of those really, I guess, like, deep conversations where I was like, okay, certain things I need to do better. It was just one that I could take away and really reflect on.