Emma Raducanu has said she fears NO-ONE at Wimbledon as she got her bid for a sensational second Grand Slam title off to a flying start.
The 19-year-old Brit disposed of Alison van Uytvanck in straight sets in her first-ever match on Centre Court - despite a troubled build-up to the Championships.
And after a rapturous ovation from her home crowd, Raducanu declared: “I think a lot of it is mental, and I definitely went out with belief today. I know that I can compete with anyone on the other side of the court when I really go for it.”
The US Open champion had to pull out of her last tournament with an injury earlier this month and there were concerns the Kent teenager might not even make it to the Wimbledon start-line. And since that remarkable triumph in New York last year, her form has been mixed.
But Raducanu believes she thrives on the sport’s grandest stages, explaining: “I'd say big matches and big occasions are the ones that I really get the most fired-up for. It's definitely a different feeling. I love playing on the big stages, on big occasions.
“I think that instead of, like, shying away from it, I really thrive on that.”
And Raducanu also revealed she is taking inspiration from Rafael Nadal, whose logo is on her playing top.
She explained: “I think Rafa just embodies fight, that sort of energy. That's what I'm bringing in. In terms of energy-wise, I think that I have had a tough year - it's no secret.
“But it is all worth it just to go out on Centre Court and get a win like that. All the lessons I've taken from the last year will only hold me in good stead.”
And whatever happens now, Raducanu - who faces France’s Caroline Garcia in the second round - will treasure her first match on Centre Court.
She said: “I really tried to cherish every single point out there. I played every point like it could have been one of my last on that court. It was an amazing experience.”
