Emma Raducanu enjoyed an impressive Wimbledon campaign, beating a former champion on her way to the third round.
Raducanu beat 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets to set up a meeting with world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
However, Sabalenka proved too strong for Raducanu, winning the contest 7-6 6-4. Despite the loss, the Brit impressed many with her performance and her ability to force the world number one to play her best tennis.
In 2021, Raducanu stunned tennis fans by winning the US Open at 18 years old, becoming the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam event.
Tim Henman, a former US Open semi-finalist, has explained why Raducanu is a much better player now than she was in 2021.
Tim Henman says Emma Raducanu is a better player now than in 2021 because of her experience and her team
Speaking on Sky Sports, Henman noted the importance of the experience Raducanu has gained in the years since she claimed her maiden Grand Slam title.
Henman said: “I think she’s a much better player than she was in 2021 because she’s had four more years of experience and now she’s starting to build more of a team around her.
“She’s been competing so much more this year which therefore emphasises the physical resilience she’s got because she was always getting injuries.
“I just hope she can continue in that vein because if she keeps doing the right things on the practice court the results will come on a match court because she’s that good a player.
“I think it was great to see her on the biggest stage in our sport against the number one player in the world.
“She had a really good chance to win that match and I’m sure that will motivate her now moving onto the hard court swing in America to keep building.”
Raducanu falls to British number three
Despite an admirable run at Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu has dropped down the rankings to British number three.
The Brit, who has some key decisions to make before the US Open, reached the fourth round at last year’s Wimbledon event and therefore lost ranking points after the 2025 edition. Raducanu has moved down five places to 45 in the world.
Meanwhile, Katie Boulter matches her Wimbledon performance from 2024 after losing in the second round. She has moved up two places to 41 in the world and has reclaimed her spot as British number one.
Sonay Kartal also improved on her 2024 performance, reaching the fourth round at this year’s Wimbledon event. She has moved up seven places to world number 44.
