Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and British No. 1, described feeling “really awkward” during her first-round match at Wimbledon 2025 on June 30, as she faced 17-year-old compatriot Mimi Xu, a wildcard making her Grand Slam main draw debut. Raducanu secured a 6-3, 6-3 victory on Court 1, advancing to the second round for the fourth time in her career, but the match was marked by an unusual atmosphere and a memorable celebration sparked by a quirky incident, per *Express.co.uk*.
The awkwardness stemmed from competing against a younger British player, with whom Raducanu shares a friendly connection, having practiced together at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in November 2024 and even conversing in Mandarin with Xu’s mother. “It’s really awkward playing a Brit, especially someone younger,” Raducanu said post-match, explaining her vocal “Come on” shouts that punctuated the contest. “She’s a great player with big weapons… I just really wanted to win that match,” she added, per *The Oldham Times*. Her intense celebrations, unusual for her typically reserved demeanor, reflected her determination to assert dominance despite their camaraderie.[](https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/sport/national/25278716.emma-raducanu-sails-awkward-battle-britain-wimbledon-opener/)
A lighthearted moment defined the match when, during a changeover after the first set, a champagne cork flew from the stands onto the court, landing in the service box. Raducanu, with a chuckle, picked it up, waved it at the crowd, and placed it in a bin, later calling it “pretty entertaining.” “I’m glad they were having a good time. It loosened me up a bit,” she told *Express.co.uk*, noting the BBC missed broadcasting the moment, cutting to statistics instead. This spontaneous litter-picking act became her “unusual celebration,” delighting fans and easing the match’s tension, with @Wimbledon on X praising her humor (@Wimbledon, June 30, 2025).
Despite personal challenges, including a stalking incident earlier in 2025 and a niggling back injury, Raducanu maintained focus, leveraging her experience to counter Xu’s 120 mph serves and powerful groundstrokes, per *South Wales Guardian*. She now faces 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round, a rematch of her 2021 upset win over the Czech as an 18-year-old wildcard. Raducanu’s blend of resilience and newfound levity, highlighted by the cork incident, sets the stage for a challenging but promising Wimbledon campaign.
