Emma Raducanu has this morning learnt her Wimbledon fate, with the draw having been completed.
The British number one, who snagged that position from Katie Boulter earlier this week, returns to the All-England Club shrouded in uncertainty.
With fitness concerns prevalent and a mysterious behind-the-scenes issue that has caused her some emotional turmoil, the 22-year-old has not enjoyed the best preparation for her home Grand Slam.
And, things get no better for Emma Raducanu, who has been dealt a nightmare draw at Wimbledon this year…
Emma Raducanu’s 2025 Wimbledon draw revealed
Fortunately for the 2021 US Open champion, her opening-round match is on the easier side.
She has been drawn against fellow Brit Mingge Xu, who is competing in her first-ever Wimbledon at just 17 years old.
Should Raducanu bypass the teenager though, she will be faced with either the seeded McCartney Kessler, or the 2023 champion at this event, Marketa Vondrousova.
The Czech is coming off the back of her first title since that remarkable run in Berlin, having recaptured her form at the worst possible time for Raducanu.
Then, even if she manages to make it into the third round, the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, will almost definitely be waiting.
It is arguably as tough a start as Raducanu could have expected, and will only get more difficult should she somehow make it into the fourth round.
Emma Raducanu has plenty of points to defend at Wimbledon this year
Having reached that stage last year, Raducanu has plenty of points to defend this year at Wimbledon.
There, she flattered to deceive against Lulu Sun, failing to capitalise on a great opportunity to cruise into the quarter-finals.
With a favourable draw in 2024, Raducanu capitalised to reach a respectable round that garnered praise from the public. This year, however, things have not been so kind.
In her opening three matches, she is expected to clash with at least two Grand Slam champions, proposing the toughest possible start for a player who returns to Wimbledon admitting she needs to get her head in gear.
Sue Barker admitted she was worried for Raducanu ahead of Wimbledon, and that feeling will not have subsided after this draw…
