Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and World No. 38, endured a challenging practice session on Centre Court with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on June 27, 2025, as part of her preparation for the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, starting June 30. The session, reported by *Express.co.uk*, saw Raducanu “battered” by Rybakina’s powerful hitting, testing her resilience amid a nagging back injury. Earlier that day, Raducanu had a lighter hit with coach Mark Petchey on Court 5 at Aorangi Park, where the 54-year-old coach was “given the run-around” in the midday sun, prompting concerns for his stamina, with *Express.co.uk* noting he needed an “ice bath” afterward.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2074358/Emma-Raducanu-Elena-Rybakina-Wimbledon-Mark-Petchey)
Raducanu’s back issues, which flared up during her 4-6, 1-6, 7-6(4) loss to Maya Joint at Eastbourne on June 25, have been a persistent concern, requiring acupuncture, taping, and painkillers, per *Daily Mail*. Despite this, she declared her intent to compete at Wimbledon “regardless,” telling *The Express US*, “I’m not overly concerned it’s something serious, but it needs careful management.” Her practice with Rybakina, who could be a third-round opponent if Raducanu advances past wildcard Mingge Xu and either Marketa Vondrousova or McCartney Kessler, highlighted the physical demands awaiting her, per *Express.co.uk*.
Petchey, alongside LTA fitness coach Ian Aylward, has been pivotal in Raducanu’s camp, providing emotional and technical support, particularly on her forehand, per *Express.co.uk*. However, her history of coaching instability—nine coaches since 2021—and recurring injuries, including wrist, ankle, and foot issues requiring surgeries in 2023, raise concerns, per *Wikipedia* and *tennis365.com*. Raducanu’s determination to rediscover joy in tennis, inspired by Ana Ivanovic’s advice to avoid regrets, drives her despite a “nightmare” draw potentially featuring Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, per *BBC Sport*
Fans on X, like @msnuk, noted the intensity of her Rybakina session, while @TennisFanUK praised her grit. With her health under scrutiny, Raducanu’s ability to manage her back injury and leverage her home-crowd support will be crucial to surpassing her 2021 and 2024 Wimbledon fourth-round runs.
