THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Emma, happy to be back on the grass at Wimbledon?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'm happy to be back here at Wimbledon. It's such a nice feeling. A lot of excitement at this time of year.

So, yeah, it's a great privilege to be part of the Brits here. There's so many in the draw, so I think it will be great for anyone.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's going to be extremely hot Monday. Record heat. How are you going to cope with the heat? Are you ready to embrace it?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'm ready to embrace it.

I feel like the heat in the UK is extra hot. Even when the number says a certain level, it feels hotter always. I'm prepared. I'm going to stay hydrated, do all the right things and, yeah, hopefully be okay.

Q. What were your first feelings when you saw your draw? There are so many similarities for Mimi to when you came through here and made your debut in 2021. What are your feelings about the match?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's a very dangerous match, very difficult. I think Mimi is a really, really good player. I practiced with her a few times. A lot of weapons. Also moves really well. It's going to be a really different match.

For her it's one where there's nothing to lose. I remember when I had my first Wimbledon here and I was 18. It's a great feeling. You just feel, like, completely fearless.

So I think for me it's going to be a challenge, but one that I'm looking forward to and I'm ready for.

Q. You spoke last week about getting your head in the game. Have you had been able to take a break and you're kind of where you want to be now?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I had one day off after Eastbourne, which is not much time. I think, like, right now I'm just happy to be at Wimbledon. I think that is a great kind of motivation to just keep going, and yeah, deal with everything else afterwards.

Q. You mentioned your first Wimbledon there. It's not really that long ago. Does it feel like a really long time ago? How does it feel to now have these kind of 16-, 17-year-olds coming up?

EMMA RADUCANU: It does feel like a long time ago. I mean, a lot has happened in the last four years.

It's good to see a new generation. It keeps us on our toes. It keeps us hungry to improve. Yeah, it's just healthy competition between all of us. I know I'm going to have to bring a really good level of tennis on Monday if I want to get through it.

Q. How does it feel being back at Wimbledon and as the British No. 1? Does it feel any different? Do you feel any pressure with that status? Like Katie Boulter, do you feel that spurs you on to put on good performances on the court?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's a great honor to be British No. 1. It's been a long time, but Katie is hot on my heels, a couple places behind me. I know she's such a great grass court player, such a great player in general that it's going to be a really difficult kind of battle for 1, 2 in the next few months, the rest of the season.

For us, we have a really healthy, good relationship. I think it's nice to have, but it isn't everything to me.

Q. This year how has your preparation for Wimbledon been compared to previous years? What's your mindset going into this year?

EMMA RADUCANU: Mindset... Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year. I know I've just been dealing with certain things. 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. I'm just looking forward to going out there and feeling the surroundings and the atmosphere.

Q. I think Mimi said that you speak to her mother in Chinese. How well do you know her and her family?

EMMA RADUCANU: It's nice. Mimi's mom has always been really nice to me. I speak to her in Chinese. It's good practice for me. I get to try and improve my Mandarin, which is good.

I hit with her a few times at the NTC, especially at the end of last year during the pre-season. Yeah, really good hits, really difficult. She's also a really nice girl. I got to know her at Fed Cup last year. Yeah, it will be interesting to play her on Monday.

Q. How is the back? Something you've been managing for a while. Are you concerned about it?

EMMA RADUCANU: It's just been managing, as I've said the last few weeks. I wouldn't say it's 100%, but a lot of the time with tennis players, nothing is ever 100%. So just taking it as it comes.

Q. I saw you hanging around with Carlos and hitting some balls yesterday. Have you discussed tactics, or any things you can do on court for the US Open?

EMMA RADUCANU: No, it was fun yesterday. We were both on court with Evian. Yeah, we were just getting some volley practicing ahead of New York. Yeah, I'm really happy obviously to be playing with him. Yeah, we had a good time yesterday.

Q. When you decide to have multiple practices in a day, what do you want to get out of it?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, truthfully recently I've just wanted to get better and improve. I just feel like the way that I'm going to do that is putting more time on the court.

Maybe in the short-term I feel a little bit more tired, but I know I'm going to improve in the long run doing it. Even if I don't see the results straightaway, they will come.

For me, I love working, and I think that's the stage I'm at right now is just to work, put the hours in, and get better.

Q. On Mimi and the other teenage wild cards coming up, given your own journey, have you ever been someone that the given advice, or have they come to you seeking out that sort of thing?

EMMA RADUCANU: I haven't really given advice. It's weird. I don't really see myself in that sort of light to be giving advice. But I remember how it feels, for sure. I think that I'm still trying to figure things out, I'm still trying to learn and go through this journey.

They haven't come to me with any questions. I guess if any of them ever did, I'll try and tell them what I know. But it's probably not much (smiling).

Q. What are your thoughts on what the tour does to help players with the mental side, their mental health, and what things do you think might be offered that could be better?

EMMA RADUCANU: I know the WTA has a mental health team. They're at a lot of the tournaments. I personally haven't used that much, but I'm sure a lot of players are. It's great to have that kind of support.

Q. There's been lots of chatter online about your friendship with Carlos. Is there any truth behind the rumors?

EMMA RADUCANU: We're just good friends (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: I think we can probably wrap it up there.

EMMA RADUCANU: Way to wrap up (laughter).