Emma Raducanu, yesterday, learnt her Wimbledon fate as the draw was released.
She, along with the rest of the competing Brits, now knows exactly what it will take for them to enjoy a deep run at their home Grand Slam.
Stars like the former US Open champion and Jack Draper will naturally spearhead hopes, but there are others, like Mimi Xu, who will be hoping to do some damage of their own.
However, if she is going to do anything of note in the competition, she will have to get past Emma Raducanu, as they face one another in the very first round.
Mimi Xu speaks about Emma Raducanu ahead of Wimbledon
Speaking to BBC Sport, Xu sought to preview her first-ever main draw match at a Grand Slam; against fellow Brit, Raducanu.
Seeking to praise the 22-year-old, she admitted: ‘It was really funny this morning, actually, because I was moving for Airbnb at like 10:05, I think, and then, I get a message from my coach saying, what, like “what an amazing draw”, like, so exciting.
‘I haven’t seen the draw. And then my mum’s getting messages, like saying, “Oh, such an exciting draw, such a good draw for her, like, really go out there and play.” And I’m like, who am I playing?
‘So I’m just like, scrolling and trying to find out who I’m actually playing and it ends up, like, soon, I’m playing Emma. I think I met her was like three years ago.
‘I hit with her on the grass. She was really nice, like, really lovely person. And then I actually went as a hitter for the Billie Jean King finals last year in November, so I really got, like, got to know her there.
‘I think she’s a lovely person. What she did in that US Open really inspired, like, a lot of the young girls, I think. So, yeah, it’s really nice to have someone like her.’
This marks the start of Raducanu’s awful Wimbledon draw.
Who is British tennis talent Mingge ‘Mimi’ Xu?
Just 17 years old, Xu has plenty of promise as she begins her ascent onto the main WTA tour.
After all, she has already showcased her talents on the biggest junior stage, regularly reaching the latter stages of junior doubles Grand Slams, including last year’s Wimbledon final.
So, clearly a grass-court threat, perhaps this teenage sensation might actually be able to trouble Raducanu, especially given she then reached the semi-finals of the US Open in the months that followed.
Born in Swansea, Wales, her talent saw her swiftly move to Roehampton to fast-track her development.
Since then, Xu has only gone from strength to strength, with this year marking an exciting one as she bids to take her first step into actual Grand Slam competition.
Inexperienced and therefore an unknown threat, it will be really interesting to see how this British prodigy deals with such a new experience, especially against such a familiar face.
