“I don’t expect much from myself” – Emma Raducanu makes brutally honest admission about her Wimbledon hopes
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and British No. 1, delivered a strikingly honest assessment of her prospects at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, admitting, “Truthfully, I don’t expect much from myself this year.” Speaking to the media on June 28, 2025, ahead of her first-round match against 17-year-old British wildcard Mingge “Mimi” Xu on Court One, Raducanu cited personal challenges and a persistent back injury as factors tempering her expectations. Despite her tempered outlook, she expressed a desire to “embrace the moment” and savor the unique atmosphere of Wimbledon, a tournament she cherishes for its rarity and prestige. Her comments, reported by Sky Sports and Wimbledon’s official site, reflect a mature perspective as she navigates a tough draw and ongoing physical and personal hurdles.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. She reclaimed the British No. 1 ranking from Katie Boulter after reaching the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club, where she defeated world No. 10 Emma Navarro, and made the Miami Open quarter-finals earlier in the year. However, a back issue that flared up during a clay-court event in Strasbourg in May has persisted, forcing her to withdraw from Berlin and suffer an early loss to Australian teenager Maya Joint in Eastbourne. “I wouldn’t say it’s 100 per cent,” Raducanu said of her back, noting that “a lot of the time with tennis players, nothing is ever 100 per cent.” She’s been managing the injury with treatments like dry needling and muscle stimulation, but it remains a concern, as highlighted by *Tennis365* on June 25, 2025.
Facing Xu, a talented junior who has already beaten two top-100 players on grass this summer, Raducanu anticipates a “very dangerous” and “difficult” match. “Mimi is a really, really good player. I practised with her a few times. She has a lot of weapons, moves really well,” she told Sky Sports, recalling her own fearless debut at Wimbledon in 2021 at age 18. Xu, fresh off A-level exams, brings a nothing-to-lose mentality, adding pressure to Raducanu, who faces 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka potentially in the third. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick predicted Vondrousova would end Raducanu’s run early, citing the Czech’s grass-court pedigree.
Raducanu’s candid admission sparked varied reactions. Posts on X, including one from @SkySportsTennis on June 28, 2025, noted her low expectations, while @TrackerTennis called her statement “brutally honest.” Some fans expressed disappointment, with @mr_stephen_moss questioning where Britain’s challenge would come from in the women’s draw. Others, like @WomensSport, praised her for avoiding self-imposed pressure, referencing her comment, “I can’t compare every result to winning a grand slam.”
Despite the challenges, Raducanu remains optimistic about her long-term trajectory. Ranked No. 38, she’s proud of her progress post-surgery, including two top-10 wins in 2024. Her focus is on enjoying Wimbledon’s atmosphere and competing, even if a deep run feels unlikely. “It’s good to see a new generation. It keeps us on our toes,” she said, embracing the challenge from Xu and other young Brits like Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic. As she steps onto Court One on June 30, 2025, Raducanu’s mindset—free of lofty expectations—may allow her to play with the same fearlessness she admires in her opponent, potentially defying the odds in a “brutal” draw.
