THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2026

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: First question for Emma.

Q. Are you playing tomorrow?

EMMA RADUCANU: I'm going to do everything with my team in terms of treatment, and that's the current plan.

Q. You're not quite sure yet?

EMMA RADUCANU: That's the plan right now, to play.

Q. Is to play?

EMMA RADUCANU: Uh-huh.

Q. We saw there was strapping above the ankle. Can you explain what the issue is and how it happened.

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I have a lower-leg niggle that I've been dealing with since before Queen's, actually from the back end of the clay court season. I've been managing it.

I think it's something that I'd say recently has probably, after Queen's maybe, during that week, was a lot of load for me. Five matches after having not competed for a while, I think it was just a lot of load.

But yeah, I'm just managing it with my team as best as I possibly can, exhausting all options and doing what we can.

Q. What percentage would you give yourself of playing?

EMMA RADUCANU: I mean, that's the plan right now, to play, so... I can't go into exact numbers.

Q. We saw you out there on Court 3 yesterday playing against Kalinskaya. You needed to cut the session short. Today you played for an hour. Has it improved since yesterday? How difficult was yesterday? Were you disappointed with how it felt? Is that what you expected?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, yesterday I played for an hour before playing with Anna. I think everyone knows I took a few days off, I didn't practice.

The first session I was just a little bit tentative, I'd say, hesitant. Today I did feel better on the court, so that's a positive sign.

Q. It feels a tough one, you had some momentum, had the great run at Queen's. How have you been with it the last couple weeks?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's been tricky. I had a great week at Queen's. All I want to do is to keep building on that momentum.

I've had a tough start to the season, a lot of time out. I think hearing and feeling this is difficult. I have great people around me. I think that's one thing that's really been helping in this latest setback. I think having their support, they're really in it with me. It means a lot to have that.

Q. Curious how much were you able to train after Queen's. Did you take time off? What have the last couple weeks looked like on the court?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I'd say the last couple weeks have been light on the court. I haven't really practiced much. I had a couple sessions here at Wimbledon, then practiced yesterday and today.

Otherwise, I've been doing everything I can, managing, treatment, just to try to be as fit as possible.

Q. Obviously you're still quite early in your career. How do you analyze when you have these types of niggles, how much risk do you actually put into potentially playing or not playing? What is the thought process behind that?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think risk is always a factor. I think a lot of players are probably managing things. I think there are certain tournaments you're willing to do more for, put yourself on the line more for, risk more for. For me, of course, Wimbledon is that.

I think I probably pushed beyond anything that I would for any other tournament. That's for a fact. It's just to what extent.

Q. On that risk, do you know if it's something that could worsen when you play or you wouldn't do any damage playing a match, it would limit you?

EMMA RADUCANU: I don't think any doctor can tell me that. I don't think anyone can tell me I'm not going to make it worse. I just have to be aware of the risks I'm taking stepping out onto the court, weighing up if I'm willing to do that.

Q. From an emotional standpoint, this week in particular, waking up and being, Am I going to be able to practice, how has it been mentally and emotionally?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's difficult waking up each day, not knowing how it's going to be. Not knowing whether you're in or out causes lot of uncertainty.

All I can do is my best every day. That's what I'm doing, whether that's the treatments, whether that's the practice. I know I'm putting everything I possibly can into each day. With the people around me, they're pushing me in the right way.

Keeping morale and spirits high is important as well. Even if you're going through a difficult time, I think allowing yourself to have moments of joy when they do come through is important.

Q. You obviously couldn't help playing on Monday. You're first on on Monday. Would you have rather been a bit later in the day?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think when it comes to later in the day, I don't mind necessarily. At least when you're first on, you know when exactly you're going to be playing. In a Grand Slam, there's a men's match possibly could go to five sets. It's hard with warm-ups.

I don't mind being first on. Of course, Tuesday would have been better. But you can't change or choose when you're on.

Q. Changing subjects. Difficult one to phrase. In the context of two pages that appeared in a national newspaper a fortnight ago, I was wondering if being content off the court might be helpful to the rest of your career?

EMMA RADUCANU: Very cordially put (laughter).

I would say that, look, I have great people around me. I have amazing support from my team, from my family, from my friends. It means a lot.

I think especially when you're going through setbacks, it helps. I think just being around positive people, around positive influences, it's always going to help through tough times.

Q. How does your team in general help you?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think in general we have a great banter between us. I think it helps lighten the mood. I think laughing always helps. We all get on well, know each other well at this point. So that's good.

I think also laughing at certain things, it just takes the gas out of the situation, really. Otherwise I have one of my best friends just moved over from New Zealand to London. That helps as well. It's just nice of course, British summertime, everyone is also in a better mood (smiling).

Q. I wanted to ask you about your draw. Obviously you played her in Dubai when you weren't at your best. How much can you learn from that match?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think I remember from that match she played really well. I think if I give her time on the ball, she's very dangerous. She actually served great that day, too. For sure going to keep that in mind.

I think I've come a long way in my game since Dubai. I think I played really well at Queen's. I have a lot of confidence in myself. So yeah, she's going to be a dangerous player for sure. I know I need to be in a good position physically to be able to take her on.

Q. Have you been watching the football? What do you think of their chances?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's tricky. I think with the time difference, it's quite late. Yesterday I watched the first half, then had to go to sleep.

I found the hydration breaks pretty fascinating, to be honest. I would love a 20-minute break. But yeah, I think it's cool to see a different, a new team. But otherwise I've been keeping tabs and keeping updated.