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Emma Raducanu doubted whether she would recover from injury in time for Wimbledon, but says she is now “ready to go” after a week’s training.
The 19-year-old has endured an injury-plagued season, with her first match of the grass-court campaign lasting just 36 minutes against Viktorija Golubic at the Nottingham Open.
Raducanu was forced to withdraw from the contest earlier this month due to a side strain and subsequently missed the Eastbourne International.
She previously stated she had “no idea” if she would be fit in time for Wimbledon, which begins for the reigning US Open champion with a first-round clash with Alison Van Uytvanck.
But after missing Friday’s practice session with Garbine Muguruza, Raducanu took to the court on Saturday and later declared herself ready for the third grand slam of the year.
“I think that this week was a good build-up,” she said at a news conference. “There were moments earlier on in the week we weren’t really sure.
“We were sort of going to see how the week goes. But it went pretty well. Now it’s full steam ahead. Right now I’m fit. I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to it. That’s it.
“I’ve been managing it since Nottingham. I took two weeks off. Yesterday we just had to react to the situation.
“I already practiced in the morning, so we all collectively thought it was the best decision to pass on the afternoon session as well and stay fresh and ready to go.”
Raducanu made history in 2021 when becoming the first qualifier to win a grand slam with victory over Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final.
That success came two months after retiring from her fourth-round match with Ajla Tomljanovic at last year’s Wimbledon with breathing difficulties.
The Briton enters this year’s event as one of the biggest names, though, and she will make her Centre Court debut in Monday’s showdown with Belgium’s Van Uytvanck.
“I think it’s amazing,” Raducanu said reflecting on the past 12 months. “This year I get such a special feeling walking around the grounds.
“I definitely feel that people are behind me. Even from some of the people working on the tournament, they’re like, ‘you got this’. Just cheering me on. That’s pretty special in itself.
“I feel like last year I came straight out of my exams, I was fresh, ready to play. I feel the same excitement this year because I think Wimbledon just brings that out of me.
“But I’m definitely looking forward to it. Just going to play like a kid who just loves playing tennis.
“It’s always my dream to step out on Centre Court. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and started playing tennis for.”
Raducanu won her only previous match with Van Uytvanck last year, prior to her big breakthrough at Flushing Meadows, and is 35 places above the Belgian in the WTA rankings.
“I definitely feel game-wise I back myself pretty much against anyone,” Raducanu added. “I feel if I really put my mind to it and commit, then I can be pretty good.
“So I’m definitely looking forward to the match. But she’s a real tricky opponent, especially on grass courts.
“I think this surface definitely suits her well. She plays a pretty quick, high-tempo game. It’s definitely going to take some getting used to, being prepared for that straightaway.”
